Ideas from 'The Powers Metaphysics' by Neil E. Williams [2019], by Theme Structure
[found in 'The Powers Metaphysics' by Williams,Neil E. [OUP 2019,978-0-19-883357-4]].
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1. Philosophy / F. Analytic Philosophy / 4. Conceptual Analysis
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23770
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Reductive analysis makes a concept clearer, by giving an alternative simpler set
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2. Reason / E. Argument / 1. Argument
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23769
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Promoting an ontology by its implied good metaphysic is an 'argument-by-display'
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7. Existence / B. Change in Existence / 1. Nature of Change
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23783
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Change exists, it is causal, and it needs an explanation
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7. Existence / B. Change in Existence / 2. Processes
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23784
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Processes don't begin or end; they just change direction unexpectedly
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23790
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Processes are either strings of short unchanging states, or continuous and unreducible events
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7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 1. Ontologies
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23786
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The status quo is part of what exists, and so needs metaphysical explanation
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23768
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A metaphysic is a set of wider explanations derived from a basic ontology
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23773
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Humeans say properties are passive, possibility is vast, laws are descriptions, causation is weak
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23779
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We shouldn't posit the existence of anything we have a word for
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8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 1. Powers
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23775
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Powers are 'multi-track' if they can produce a variety of manifestations
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23780
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Every possible state of affairs is written into its originating powers
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23789
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Naming powers is unwise, because that it usually done by a single manifestation
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8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 2. Powers as Basic
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23771
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Fundamental physics describes everything in terms of powers
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8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 5. Powers and Properties
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23776
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Rather than pure powers or pure categoricals, I favour basics which are both at once
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23777
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Powers are more complicated than properties which are always on display
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8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 6. Dispositions / b. Dispositions and powers
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23774
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There are basic powers, which underlie dispositions, potentialities, capacities etc
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23791
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Dispositions are just useful descriptions, which are explained by underlying powers
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9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 1. Physical Objects
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23772
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If objects are property bundles, the properties need combining powers
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9. Objects / E. Objects over Time / 4. Four-Dimensionalism
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23788
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Four-Dimensional is Perdurantism (temporal parts), plus Eternalism
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26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 1. Causation
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23782
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Causation is the exercise of powers
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23785
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Causation needs to explain stasis, as well as change
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26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 8. Particular Causation / b. Causal relata
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23787
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If causes and effects overlap, that makes changes impossible
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26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 8. Scientific Essentialism / c. Essence and laws
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23778
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Powers contain lawlike features, pointing to possible future states
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