Single Idea 14326

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 6. Dispositions / a. Dispositions]

Full Idea

The idea of a disposition occupying a different causal role involves a conceptual confusion, ...but there is no conceptual or logical absurdity in a categorical base occupying a different causal role.

Gist of Idea

Unlike categorical bases, dispositions necessarily occupy a particular causal role

Source

Stephen Mumford (Dispositions [1998], 07.3)

Book Reference

Mumford,Stephen: 'Dispositions' [OUP 1998], p.149


A Reaction

This is the core of Mumford's theory of dispositions. I'm beginning to think that dispositions are merely ways we have of describing and labelling functional mechanisms, and so 'dispositions' drop out of the final story.