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Single Idea 16948

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

Full Idea

Once we can legitimize a disposition term by defining the relevant similarity standard, we are apt to know the mechanism of the disposition, and so by-pass the similarity.

Gist of Idea

Once we know the mechanism of a disposition, we can eliminate 'similarity'

Source

Willard Quine (Natural Kinds [1969], p.135)

Book Ref

Quine,Willard: 'Ontological Relativity and Other Essays' [Columbia 1969], p.135

A Reaction

I love mechanisms, but can we characterise mechanisms without mentioning powers and dispositions? Quine's dream is to eliminate 'similarity'.

Related Idea

Idea 16947 Similarity is just interchangeability in the cosmic machine [Quine]

The 19 ideas from 'Natural Kinds'

7375 Quine probably regrets natural kinds now being treated as essences [Quine, by Dennett]
16932 Projectible predicates can be universalised about the kind to which they refer [Quine]
16933 Grue is a puzzle because the notions of similarity and kind are dubious in science [Quine]
16934 General terms depend on similarities among things [Quine]
16935 If similarity has no degrees, kinds cannot be contained within one another [Quine]
16936 Comparative similarity allows the kind 'colored' to contain the kind 'red' [Quine]
16937 You can't base kinds just on resemblance, because chains of resemblance are a muddle [Quine]
16938 To learn yellow by observation, must we be told to look at the colour? [Quine]
8486 Standards of similarity are innate, and the spacing of qualities such as colours can be mapped [Quine]
16939 Mass terms just concern spread, but other terms involve both spread and individuation [Quine]
16941 Induction relies on similar effects following from each cause [Quine]
16940 Induction is just more of the same: animal expectations [Quine]
16943 Philosophy is continuous with science, and has no external vantage point [Quine]
16942 It is hard to see how regularities could be explained [Quine]
16944 Science is common sense, with a sophisticated method [Quine]
16945 We judge things to be soluble if they are the same kind as, or similar to, things that do dissolve [Quine]
16947 Similarity is just interchangeability in the cosmic machine [Quine]
16948 Once we know the mechanism of a disposition, we can eliminate 'similarity' [Quine]
16949 Klein summarised geometry as grouped together by transformations [Quine]