Single Idea 14323

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

Full Idea

Given any event, and the assumption that every event has a cause, then some power can always be invented as the cause of that event.

Gist of Idea

If every event has a cause, it is easy to invent a power to explain each case

Source

Stephen Mumford (Dispositions [1998], 06.6)

Book Reference

Mumford,Stephen: 'Dispositions' [OUP 1998], p.137


A Reaction

This is a useful warning, and probably explains why 'powers' fell out of fashion in scientifice theorising. They seem to make a return, though, as an appropriate term for the bottom level of each of our explanations.