Single Idea 14555

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 2. Powers as Basic]

Full Idea

In respect of explanation the powers view does little better than the laws view.

Gist of Idea

Powers offer no more explanation of nature than laws do

Source

S.Mumford/R.Lill Anjum (Getting Causes from Powers [2011], 4.3c)

Book Reference

Anjum,R.J./Mumford,S.: 'Getting Causes from Powers' [OUP 2011], p.99


A Reaction

Quite so. Powers are primitive, so they offer no elucidation of nature, but constitute the building blocks for explanations. Essences are, I think, clusters of powers, and the way in which they cluster is where we find the explanations.

Related Idea

Idea 14554 Laws are nothing more than descriptions of the behaviour of powers [Mumford/Anjum]