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Single Idea 23664

[filed under theme 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 2. Powers as Basic ]

Full Idea

Power is a thing so much of its own kind, and so simple in its nature, as to admit of no logical definition.

Gist of Idea

Powers are quite distinct and simple, and so cannot be defined

Source

Thomas Reid (Essays on Active Powers 1: Active power [1788], 1)

Book Ref

Reid,Thomas: 'Inquiry and Essays', ed/tr. Beanblossom /K.Lehrer [Hackett 1983], p.199

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A Reaction

True. And this makes Powers ideally suited for the role of primitives in a metaphysics of nature.