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Single Idea 14296

[from 'The Roots of Reference' by Willard Quine, in 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 3. Powers as Derived ]

Full Idea

Each disposition, in my view, is a physical state or mechanism. ...In some cases nowadays we understand the physical details and set them forth explicitly in terms of the arrangement and interaction of small bodies. This replaces the old disposition.

Gist of Idea

Dispositions are physical states of mechanism; when known, these replace the old disposition term

Source

Willard Quine (The Roots of Reference [1990], p.11), quoted by Stephen Mumford - Dispositions 01.3

Book Reference

Mumford,Stephen: 'Dispositions' [OUP 1998], p.13


A Reaction

A challenge to the dispositions and powers view of nature, one which rests on the 'categorical' structural properties, rather than the 'hypothetical' dispositions. But can we define a mechanism without mentioning its powers?