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Metaphysics lecture notes - Powers (2)
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Lecture notes for third-year metaphysics module
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IX. Powers - directedness & dispositionalityIX.a. Powers & their manifestations Problem for necessary connections
in nature
- Dispositions having typical manifestations
(i.e., solubility disposition dissolved) IX.c. Objections to the antecedent
- Question nature of connection between strengthening argument
power & manifestation of power - I as removal of one of causes C1-Cn of
o Necessary connection between distinct effect E I = ¬Cx
existences (?): world containing causal o Problem: cases of I clearly ≠ mere
powers capable in certain conditions of negation of one of C1-Cn
necessitating manifestations
- Cases of causation with no available
- Attempts explaining causation as interferer where possibility of interferer
manifestation if power (i.e., striking match
sufficient for showing causes ≠
causing fire due to power of flammability of necessitating effects
match manifesting under certain conditions)
o Example of cases where C causing E in
- Terminology note: power disposition
absence of constant conjunction (i.e.,
o Distinction power/disposition (Bird):
smoking causing cancer)
disposition = Hume-compatible
- Obtaining necessary connection by
regularity considering all causes of effect including
o Problem: Hume-incompatible real ruling out all interferers (= positive &
power producing disposition & negative causes)
causation o Problem aggregate of causes still
IX.b. Prevention & doubting natural necessity compatible with further interferer I
- Causation always admitting possibility of preventing E
- Total cause * ruling out all possible
prevention (i.e., match struck prevented
from lighting due to sudden gust of wind) interferers
powers ≠ necessitating own manifestations o Problem: denying very antecedent
as manifestations preventable by addition strengthening thesis by excluding all
of further factor additions to antecedent possibly
- Different powers C1-Cn failing causing E if rendering conditional false avoiding
occurrence of interfering factor I C1-Cn necessity test entirely
consistent with E ≠ occurring C1-Cn IX.d. Production without necessitation
causing ≠ necessitating E
- Realist powers view: alternative to
- Antecedent strengthening argument against
necessary connection = genuine causal
necessity (Mumford, Anjum) requiring I as
production cause producing effect
additive ≠ subtractive (= removing from C1-
without necessitating
Cn) interferer
- Causation involving modality between
- Necessity = monotonic (i.e., ≠ defeated by
necessity & contingency
addition) (i.e., if A necessitating B then
- Option 1: intentionality (Feser, Place &
wherever A, then B)
Molnar)
o If A + I, then still B, for any I (i.e.,
o Dispositions as intentionality (= directed
humans mortal)
towards manifestations & capable of
- Causation (i.e., C causing E) ≠ monotonic
exhibiting intentional inexistence)
o If C + I, then ≠ necessarily E causes
o Intentionality criterion for dispositional
≠ necessarily causing effects
phenomena
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