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Single Idea 23770
[filed under theme 1. Philosophy / F. Analytic Philosophy / 4. Conceptual Analysis
]
Full Idea
A reductive analysis is one that provides an alternative set of concepts by which some target concept can be understood. It must be non-circular, and given in terms of concepts that are themselves better understood.
Gist of Idea
Reductive analysis makes a concept clearer, by giving an alternative simpler set
Source
Neil E. Williams (The Powers Metaphysics [2019], 01.2)
Book Ref
Williams,Neil E.: 'The Powers Metaphysics' [OUP 2019], p.8
A Reaction
There seem to be two aims of analysis: this one emphasises understanding, but the other one concerns ontology - by demonstrating that some concept or thing can be understood fully by what happens at a lower level.
The
23 ideas
from 'The Powers Metaphysics'
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
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Fundamental physics describes everything in terms of powers
[Williams,NE]
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23772
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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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23774
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There are basic powers, which underlie dispositions, potentialities, capacities etc
[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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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
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Causation is the exercise of powers
[Williams,NE]
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23784
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Processes don't begin or end; they just change direction unexpectedly
[Williams,NE]
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23786
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The status quo is part of what exists, and so needs metaphysical explanation
[Williams,NE]
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23785
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Causation needs to explain stasis, as well as change
[Williams,NE]
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23787
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If causes and effects overlap, that makes changes impossible
[Williams,NE]
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23788
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Four-Dimensional is Perdurantism (temporal parts), plus Eternalism
[Williams,NE]
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23789
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Naming powers is unwise, because that it usually done by a single manifestation
[Williams,NE]
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23790
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Processes are either strings of short unchanging states, or continuous and unreducible events
[Williams,NE]
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23791
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Dispositions are just useful descriptions, which are explained by underlying powers
[Williams,NE]
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