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Single Idea 11938

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 6. Dispositions / d. Dispositions as occurrent]

Full Idea

There is a popular view in Megara, that x is capable of being/doing the F only when it actually is/does the F. So the non-builder is no bearer of a potentiality for building - but only when the builder is engaged in his building.

Gist of Idea

The Megarans say something is only capable of something when it is actually doing it

Source

Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1046b28)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Metaphysics', ed/tr. Lawson-Tancred,Hugh [Penguin 1998], p.258


A Reaction

This Megaran view is the extreme denial of dispositions are real features of the world. They seem to reduce to mere descriptions, when the reality is the actual activity itself. Megarans would now be called 'actualists'.