Single Idea 19013

[catalogued under 10. Modality / B. Possibility / 1. Possibility]

Full Idea

We should think of possibility as potentiality in abstraction from its bearer. So 'it is possible that p' is defined as 'something has an iterated potentiality for it to be the case that p'.

Clarification

'Iterated' implies there could be chains of potentialities

Gist of Idea

Possibility is a generalised abstraction from the potentiality of its bearer

Source

Barbara Vetter (Potentiality [2015], 1.4)

Book Reference

Vetter,Barbara: 'Potentiality: from Dispositions to Modality' [OUP 2015], p.18


A Reaction

If possibilities are abstractions from potentialities, I am inclined the treat potentialities as abstractions from dispositions, and dispositions (and properties) as abstractions from powers. Powers are not abstractions - they are the reality.