Single Idea 4040

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 5. Powers and Properties]

Full Idea

The notion of a property and the notion of a causal power belong to a system of internally related concepts, no one of which can be explicated without the use of the other.

Gist of Idea

The notions of property and of causal power are parts of a single system of related concepts

Source

Sydney Shoemaker (Causality and Properties [1980], §07)

Book Reference

Shoemaker,Sydney: 'Identity, Cause and Mind' [OUP 2003], p.222


A Reaction

Sounds good. It is hard to conceive of a property which has no causal powers, or a causal power that doesn't arise from a property.