Ideas of Neil E. Williams, by Theme

[American, fl. 2010, At the University of Buffalo.]

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1. Philosophy / F. Analytic Philosophy / 4. Conceptual Analysis
23770 Reductive analysis makes a concept clearer, by giving an alternative simpler set
2. Reason / E. Argument / 1. Argument
23769 Promoting an ontology by its implied good metaphysic is an 'argument-by-display'
7. Existence / B. Change in Existence / 1. Nature of Change
23783 Change exists, it is causal, and it needs an explanation
7. Existence / B. Change in Existence / 2. Processes
23784 Processes don't begin or end; they just change direction unexpectedly
23790 Processes are either strings of short unchanging states, or continuous and unreducible events
7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 1. Ontologies
23768 A metaphysic is a set of wider explanations derived from a basic ontology
23773 Humeans say properties are passive, possibility is vast, laws are descriptions, causation is weak
23779 We shouldn't posit the existence of anything we have a word for
23786 The status quo is part of what exists, and so needs metaphysical explanation
8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 1. Powers
23780 Every possible state of affairs is written into its originating powers
23789 Naming powers is unwise, because that it usually done by a single manifestation
23775 Powers are 'multi-track' if they can produce a variety of manifestations
8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 2. Powers as Basic
23771 Fundamental physics describes everything in terms of powers
8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 5. Powers and Properties
23776 Rather than pure powers or pure categoricals, I favour basics which are both at once
23777 Powers are more complicated than properties which are always on display
8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 6. Dispositions / b. Dispositions and powers
23774 There are basic powers, which underlie dispositions, potentialities, capacities etc
23791 Dispositions are just useful descriptions, which are explained by underlying powers
9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 1. Physical Objects
23772 If objects are property bundles, the properties need combining powers
9. Objects / E. Objects over Time / 4. Four-Dimensionalism
23788 Four-Dimensional is Perdurantism (temporal parts), plus Eternalism
26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 1. Causation
23785 Causation needs to explain stasis, as well as change
23782 Causation is the exercise of powers
26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 8. Particular Causation / b. Causal relata
23787 If causes and effects overlap, that makes changes impossible
26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 8. Scientific Essentialism / c. Essence and laws
23778 Powers contain lawlike features, pointing to possible future states