more on this theme
|
more from this thinker
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]
|