Full Idea
Power consists in the possibility or probability of any action, as discovered by experience and the practice of the world.
Gist of Idea
Power is the possibility of action, as discovered by experience
Source
David Hume (Treatise of Human Nature [1739], p.313), quoted by George Molnar - Powers 5
Book Reference
Molnar,George: 'Powers: a study in metaphysics', ed/tr. Mumford,Stephen [OUP 2003], p.99
A Reaction
[page in OUP edn] This strikes me as blatantly false, and typical of those who confuse epistemology with ontology. It implies that a power that takes everyone by surprise is impossible, by definition.