Single Idea 17667

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 7. Against Powers]

Full Idea

It is not denied that statements attributing dispositions and/or powers to objects are often true. But the truth-makers or ontological ground for such statements must always be found in the actual, or categorical, properties of the objects involved.

Gist of Idea

Dispositions exist, but their truth-makers are actual or categorical properties

Source

David M. Armstrong (What is a Law of Nature? [1983], 01.3)

Book Reference

Armstrong,D.M.: 'What is a Law of Nature?' [CUP 1985], p.9


A Reaction

This is the big debate in the topic of powers. I love powers, but you always think there must be 'something' which has the power. Could reality entirely consist of powers? See Fetzer.

Related Ideas

Idea 17666 Actualism means that ontology cannot contain what is merely physically possible [Armstrong]

Idea 15797 All structures are dispositional, objects are dispositions sets, and events manifest dispositions [Fetzer]