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Single Idea 23768
[filed under theme 7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 1. Ontologies
]
Full Idea
A metaphysic is what you get when you embed a fundamental ontology within a larger metaphysical framework by repeatedly appealing to elements of that ontology in explaining metaphysical phenomena. …Only then do you see what the ontology is worth.
Gist of Idea
A metaphysic is a set of wider explanations derived from a basic ontology
Source
Neil E. Williams (The Powers Metaphysics [2019], 01.1)
Book Ref
Williams,Neil E.: 'The Powers Metaphysics' [OUP 2019], p.2
A Reaction
Confirming my mantra that metaphysics is an explanatory activity. I think it is important that the ontology includes relations (such as 'determinations'), and is not just an inventory of types of entity.
Related Idea
Idea 23769
Promoting an ontology by its implied good metaphysic is an 'argument-by-display' [Williams,NE]
The
23 ideas
from Neil E. Williams
23768
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A metaphysic is a set of wider explanations derived from a basic ontology
[Williams,NE]
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23770
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Reductive analysis makes a concept clearer, by giving an alternative simpler set
[Williams,NE]
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23769
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Promoting an ontology by its implied good metaphysic is an 'argument-by-display'
[Williams,NE]
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23771
|
Fundamental physics describes everything in terms of powers
[Williams,NE]
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23772
|
If objects are property bundles, the properties need combining powers
[Williams,NE]
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23773
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Humeans say properties are passive, possibility is vast, laws are descriptions, causation is weak
[Williams,NE]
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23775
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Powers are 'multi-track' if they can produce a variety of manifestations
[Williams,NE]
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23774
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There are basic powers, which underlie dispositions, potentialities, capacities etc
[Williams,NE]
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23776
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Rather than pure powers or pure categoricals, I favour basics which are both at once
[Williams,NE]
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23777
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Powers are more complicated than properties which are always on display
[Williams,NE]
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23778
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Powers contain lawlike features, pointing to possible future states
[Williams,NE]
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23779
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We shouldn't posit the existence of anything we have a word for
[Williams,NE]
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23780
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Every possible state of affairs is written into its originating powers
[Williams,NE]
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23783
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Change exists, it is causal, and it needs an explanation
[Williams,NE]
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23782
|
Causation is the exercise of powers
[Williams,NE]
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23784
|
Processes don't begin or end; they just change direction unexpectedly
[Williams,NE]
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23786
|
The status quo is part of what exists, and so needs metaphysical explanation
[Williams,NE]
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23785
|
Causation needs to explain stasis, as well as change
[Williams,NE]
|
23787
|
If causes and effects overlap, that makes changes impossible
[Williams,NE]
|
23788
|
Four-Dimensional is Perdurantism (temporal parts), plus Eternalism
[Williams,NE]
|
23789
|
Naming powers is unwise, because that it usually done by a single manifestation
[Williams,NE]
|
23790
|
Processes are either strings of short unchanging states, or continuous and unreducible events
[Williams,NE]
|
23791
|
Dispositions are just useful descriptions, which are explained by underlying powers
[Williams,NE]
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