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Single Idea 23779
[filed under theme 7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 1. Ontologies
]
Full Idea
There seems to be a mysterious desire to posit entities simply because certain terms pop up in our vocabulary. But we should not be so indiscriminate about our posits, even if our talk is properly vetted.
Gist of Idea
We shouldn't posit the existence of anything we have a word for
Source
Neil E. Williams (The Powers Metaphysics [2019], 04.1)
Book Ref
Williams,Neil E.: 'The Powers Metaphysics' [OUP 2019], p.69
A Reaction
This should hardly need saying, and the familiar example is 'for the sake of' entailing sakes, but it seems to be a vice that is still found in metaphysical philosophy. The word 'nothingness' comes to mind.
Related Idea
Idea 23774
There are basic powers, which underlie dispositions, potentialities, capacities etc [Williams,NE]
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]
|
23771
|
Fundamental physics describes everything in terms of powers
[Williams,NE]
|
23772
|
If objects are property bundles, the properties need combining powers
[Williams,NE]
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23773
|
Humeans say properties are passive, possibility is vast, laws are descriptions, causation is weak
[Williams,NE]
|
23775
|
Powers are 'multi-track' if they can produce a variety of manifestations
[Williams,NE]
|
23774
|
There are basic powers, which underlie dispositions, potentialities, capacities etc
[Williams,NE]
|
23776
|
Rather than pure powers or pure categoricals, I favour basics which are both at once
[Williams,NE]
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23777
|
Powers are more complicated than properties which are always on display
[Williams,NE]
|
23778
|
Powers contain lawlike features, pointing to possible future states
[Williams,NE]
|
23779
|
We shouldn't posit the existence of anything we have a word for
[Williams,NE]
|
23780
|
Every possible state of affairs is written into its originating powers
[Williams,NE]
|
23783
|
Change exists, it is causal, and it needs an explanation
[Williams,NE]
|
23782
|
Causation is the exercise of powers
[Williams,NE]
|
23784
|
Processes don't begin or end; they just change direction unexpectedly
[Williams,NE]
|
23786
|
The status quo is part of what exists, and so needs metaphysical explanation
[Williams,NE]
|
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]
|