Single Idea 19021

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 6. Dispositions / a. Dispositions]

Full Idea

I do not have the ability to play the violin. Nor does my desk. Unlike my desk, however, I possess the ability to learn to play the violin - the ability, that is, to acquire the ability to play the violin. I have an 'iterated ability' to play the violin.

Gist of Idea

I have an 'iterated ability' to learn the violin - that is, the ability to acquire that ability

Source

Barbara Vetter (Potentiality [2015], 4.6)

Book Reference

Vetter,Barbara: 'Potentiality: from Dispositions to Modality' [OUP 2015], p.135


A Reaction

An important idea, though the examples are more likely to come from human behaviour than from the non-human physical world.

Related Idea

Idea 19022 Water has a potentiality to acquire a potentiality to break (by freezing) [Vetter]