more from Thomas Hobbes

Single Idea 16734

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 3. Powers as Derived]

Full Idea

The power of agent and patient taken together, which may be called the complete power, is the same as the complete cause, for each consists in the aggregation together of all the accidents that are required to produce an effect in both agent and patient.

Gist of Idea

The complete power of an event is just the aggregate of the qualities that produced it

Source

Thomas Hobbes (De Corpore (Elements, First Section) [1655], 2.10.01)

Book Reference

Hobbes,Thomas: 'Metaphysical Writings', ed/tr. Calkins,Mary Whiton [Open Court 1905], p.77


A Reaction

They treat powers as macro phenomena, and don't seem to have a sense of the basic powers that build up the big picture.