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Single Idea 16744

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

Full Idea

There are no powers in stones and plants that are not so mysterious that they cannot be explained …from principles that are known to all and admitted by all, namely the shape, size, position, and motion of particles of matter.

Gist of Idea

All powers can be explained by obvious features like size, shape and motion of matter

Source

René Descartes (Principles of Philosophy [1646], IV.187), quoted by Robert Pasnau - Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 23.6

Book Ref

Pasnau,Robert: 'Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671' [OUP 2011], p.540

A Reaction

This is an invocation of 'categorical' properties, against dispositions. I take this to be quite wrong. The explanation goes the other way. What supports the structures; what drives the motion; what initiates anything?

The 23 ideas with the same theme [powers as products of something more basic]:

16740 A power is not a cause, but an aptitude for a cause [Zabarella]
16744 All powers can be explained by obvious features like size, shape and motion of matter [Descartes]
16734 The complete power of an event is just the aggregate of the qualities that produced it [Hobbes]
15974 The essence of whiteness in a man is nothing but the power to produce the idea of whiteness [Locke]
23666 It is obvious that there could not be a power without a subject which possesses it [Reid]
14296 Dispositions are physical states of mechanism; when known, these replace the old disposition term [Quine]
13568 Basic powers may not be explained by structure, if at the bottom level there is no structure [Ellis]
13586 Maybe dispositions can be explained by intrinsic properties or structures [Ellis]
15094 I now deny that properties are cluster of powers, and take causal properties as basic [Shoemaker]
15758 Things have powers in virtue of (which are entailed by) their properties [Shoemaker]
8547 One power can come from different properties; a thing's powers come from its properties [Shoemaker]
8549 Properties are functions producing powers, and powers are functions producing effects [Shoemaker]
15258 Powers are not qualities; they just point to directions of empirical investigation [Harré/Madden]
15554 A disposition needs a causal basis, a property in a certain causal role. Could the disposition be the property? [Lewis]
15463 All dispositions must have causal bases [Lewis]
15120 Lewisian properties have powers because of their relationships to other properties [Lewis, by Hawthorne]
7023 Powers or dispositions are usually seen as caused by lower-level qualities [Heil]
14310 Dispositions are classifications of properties by functional role [Mumford]
14316 If dispositions have several categorical realisations, that makes the two separate [Mumford]
14317 I say the categorical base causes the disposition manifestation [Mumford]
9450 If all properties are potencies, and stimuli and manifestation characterise them, there is a regress [Bird]
9498 The essence of a potency involves relations, e.g. mass, to impressed force and acceleration [Bird]
14557 Powers are not just basic forces, since they combine to make new powers [Mumford/Anjum]