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Single Idea 18451

[from 'Launching Points to the Realm of the Mind' by Porphyry, in 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 2. Powers as Basic ]

Full Idea

Being everywhere and nowhere, the incorporeal, wherever it happens to be, betrays its presence only by a certain kind of disposition.

Gist of Idea

The presence of the incorporeal is only known by certain kinds of disposition

Source

Porphyry (Launching Points to the Realm of the Mind [c.280], 4Enn3 21(20))

Book Reference

Porphyry: 'Launching Points to the Realm of the Mind', ed/tr. Guthrie,Kenneth [Phanes 1988], p.41


A Reaction

There is a mystical or dualist view of fundamental powers, as the spiritual engine which drives passive physical nature. It's rubbish of course, but if powers are primitive in a naturalistic theory, it is not a view which can be refuted.