back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 13568

[from 'Scientific Essentialism' by Brian Ellis, in 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 3. Powers as Derived ]

Full Idea

It may be that the most fundamental things have no structure, and therefore no structure in virtue of which they have the powers they have.

Gist of Idea

Basic powers may not be explained by structure, if at the bottom level there is no structure

Source

Brian Ellis (Scientific Essentialism [2001], Intro)

Book Reference

Ellis,Brian: 'Scientific Essentialism' [CUP 2007], p.10


A Reaction

Maybe the world has inexplicable powers, so there is a God? It seems obvious that there will be no explanation of the 'lowest level' of reality, and also obvious (to me and Leibniz, anyway) that this lowest level has to be active.