more from Sydney Shoemaker

Single Idea 8549

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

Full Idea

Powers are functions from circumstances to causal effects, and properties (on which powers depend) can be thought of as functions from sets of properties to sets of powers. Maybe we should call properties 'second-order powers', as they produce powers.

Gist of Idea

Properties are functions producing powers, and powers are functions producing effects

Source

Sydney Shoemaker (Causality and Properties [1980], §04)

Book Reference

Shoemaker,Sydney: 'Identity, Cause and Mind' [OUP 2003], p.212


A Reaction

He presents property as both a function, and a component of the function. This is the core picture on which modern scientific essentialism is built. See under Natural Theory|Laws of Nature.