Single Idea 13586

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 3. Powers as Derived]

Full Idea

One view is that there must be an intrinsic property or structure in virtue of which a given thing has the behavioural disposition in question.

Gist of Idea

Maybe dispositions can be explained by intrinsic properties or structures

Source

Brian Ellis (Scientific Essentialism [2001], 3.06)

Book Reference

Ellis,Brian: 'Scientific Essentialism' [CUP 2007], p.119


A Reaction

[He cites Prior, Pargetter,Jackson 1982] A key question in the metaphysics of nature - whether dispositions should be taken as primitive, or whether we should try to explain them in other terms. I take powers and dispositions to be prior to properties.