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Single Idea 23782
[filed under theme 26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 1. Causation
]
Full Idea
Causation is the exercising of powers.
Gist of Idea
Causation is the exercise of powers
Source
Neil E. Williams (The Powers Metaphysics [2019], 06.1)
Book Ref
Williams,Neil E.: 'The Powers Metaphysics' [OUP 2019], p.121
A Reaction
Job done. Get over it. This is the view I prefer.
The
23 ideas
from 'The Powers Metaphysics'
23768
|
A metaphysic is a set of wider explanations derived from a basic ontology
[Williams,NE]
|
23770
|
Reductive analysis makes a concept clearer, by giving an alternative simpler set
[Williams,NE]
|
23769
|
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]
|
23773
|
Humeans say properties are passive, possibility is vast, laws are descriptions, causation is weak
[Williams,NE]
|
23774
|
There are basic powers, which underlie dispositions, potentialities, capacities etc
[Williams,NE]
|
23775
|
Powers are 'multi-track' if they can produce a variety of manifestations
[Williams,NE]
|
23776
|
Rather than pure powers or pure categoricals, I favour basics which are both at once
[Williams,NE]
|
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]
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