Single Idea 7023

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 3. Powers as Derived]

Full Idea

The modern default position on dispositionality is that powers or dispositions are higher-level properties objects possess by virtue of those objects' possession of lower-level qualitative (categorical) properties.

Gist of Idea

Powers or dispositions are usually seen as caused by lower-level qualities

Source

John Heil (From an Ontological Point of View [2003], 09.2)

Book Reference

Heil,John: 'From an Ontological Point of View' [OUP 2005], p.87


A Reaction

The new idea which is being floated by Heil, and which I prefer, is that dispositions or powers are basic. A 'quality' is a much more dubious entity than a power.