more on this theme | more from this thinker
Full Idea
Powers explain behaviours regardless of whether they are necessary for membership in a particular class of things.
Gist of Idea
Powers give explanations, without being necessary for some class membership
Source
Anjan Chakravarrty (Inessential Aristotle: Powers without Essences [2012], 3)
A Reaction
This seems right, and is important for driving a wedge between powers and essences. If there are essences, they are not simply some bunch of powers.
| 15144 | Explanation of causal phenomena concerns essential kinds - but also lack of them [Chakravartty] |
| 15146 | Some kinds, such as electrons, have essences, but 'cluster kinds' do not [Chakravartty] |
| 15145 | A kind essence is the necessary and sufficient properties for membership of a class [Chakravartty] |
| 15147 | Cluster kinds are explained simply by sharing some properties, not by an 'essence' [Chakravartty] |
| 15151 | Many causal laws do not refer to kinds, but only to properties [Chakravartty] |
| 15148 | Powers give explanations, without being necessary for some class membership [Chakravartty] |