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Single Idea 14350

[from 'Dispositional Essentialism Grounds Laws of Nature?' by Richard Corry, in 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 6. Dispositions / d. Dispositions as occurrent ]

Full Idea

If we have no good reason to believe that a disposition is instantiated, then the disposition should play no role in our theorizing about the world.

Gist of Idea

If a disposition is never instantiated, it shouldn't be part of our theory of nature

Source

Richard Corry (Dispositional Essentialism Grounds Laws of Nature? [2010], 3)

Book Reference

-: 'Australasian Journal of Philosophy' [-], p.6


A Reaction

It is part of our theory that a substantial lump of uranium will explode, but also that a galaxy-sized lump of uranium would explode. Surely we are committed to the latter, even though it never happens?