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Single Idea 23789

[filed under theme 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 1. Powers ]

Full Idea

Naming powers is unwise; the main reason is that there is a long tradition of naming powers according to the manifestations they can produce, and that does not square well with multi-track powers.

Clarification

A 'multi-track' power can produce diverse results

Gist of Idea

Naming powers is unwise, because that it usually done by a single manifestation

Source

Neil E. Williams (The Powers Metaphysics [2019], 08.4)

Book Ref

Williams,Neil E.: 'The Powers Metaphysics' [OUP 2019], p.191

A Reaction

On the other hand there must be some attempt to individuate powers (by scientists, if not by philosophers), and that can only rely on the manifestations. Describe them, rather than name them? Just assign them a number!

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]
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]
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]