Dispositions and Powers

"As we understand them, dispositions are relatively uncontroversial 'predicatory' properties had by objects disposed in certain ways. By contrast, powers are hypothetical 'ontic' properties posited in order to explain dispositional behaviour. Section 1 outlines this distinction in more detail. Section 2 offers a summary of the issues surrounding analysis of dispositions and various strategies in contemporary literature to address them, including one of our own. Section 3 describes some of the important questions facing the metaphysics of powers, including why they are worth positing and how they might metaphysically explain laws of nature and modality"--

List of contents

1. Introduction; 2. Dispositions; 3. Powers; References.

Summary

As we understand them, dispositions are relatively uncontroversial 'predicatory' properties had by objects disposed in certain ways. By contrast, powers are hypothetical 'ontic' properties posited in order to explain dispositional behaviour. This Element analyses dispositions and how they might metaphysically explain laws of nature and modality.

Product details

• Authors: Toby Friend, Toby (University of Bristol) Kimpton-Nye Friend, Samuel Kimpton-Nye
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 30.04.2023
• EAN: 9781009113014
• ISBN: 978-1-0-0911301-4
• No. of pages: 75
• Series: Elements in Metaphysics
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Philosophy; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Philosophy: general, reference works; PHILOSOPHY / Epistemology, PHILOSOPHY / Metaphysics, Philosophy: metaphysics & ontology, Philosophy: metaphysics and ontology, Philosophy: epistemology & theory of knowledge, Philosophy: epistemology and theory of knowledge