Powers: A Study in MetaphysicsClarendon Press, 30. nov 2006 - 252 pages George Molnar came to see that the solution to a number of the problems of contemporary philosophy lay in the development of an alternative to Hume's metaphysics. This alternative would have real causal powers at its centre. Molnar set about developing a thorough account of powers that might persuade those who remained, perhaps unknowingly, in the grip of Humean assumptions. He succeeded in producing something both highly focused and at the same time wide-ranging. He showed both that the notion of a power was central and that it could serve to dispel a number of long-standing philosophical problems. Molnar's account of powers is as realist as any that has so far appeared. He shows that dispositions are as real as any other properties. Specifically, they do not depend for their existence on their manifestations. Nevertheless, they are directed towards such manifestations. Molnar thus appropriates the notion of intentionality, from Brentano, and argues that it is the essential characteristic of powers. He offers a persuasive case for there being some basic and ungrounded powers, thus ruling out the reducibility of the dispositional to the non-dispositional. However, he does allow that there are non-power properties as well as power properties. In this respect, his final position is dualistic. This is contemporary metaphysics of the highest quality. It is a work that was almost complete when its author died. It has been edited for publication by another specialist in the subject, Stephen Mumford, who has also provided an introduction that will allow non-specialists to become acquainted with the issues. David Armstrong, one of the greatest living metaphysicians and personal friend of George Molnar, has provided a Foreword. |
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Page viii
... philosophers. He seemed effortlessly to resume his place in Australian philosophy. I particularly admired his apparently complete absence of self-pity for the long years of selfimposed exile. We lived in the same suburb, not far from ...
... philosophers. He seemed effortlessly to resume his place in Australian philosophy. I particularly admired his apparently complete absence of self-pity for the long years of selfimposed exile. We lived in the same suburb, not far from ...
Page 2
... philosophers are arguing now that the laws of nature may be explained in terms of the dispositional properties characteristic of natural kinds. Philosophers have said widely varying things on the question of what dispositions are. Some ...
... philosophers are arguing now that the laws of nature may be explained in terms of the dispositional properties characteristic of natural kinds. Philosophers have said widely varying things on the question of what dispositions are. Some ...
Page 4
... philosopher was morally untenable in current society and in 1976 he resigned his position. He decamped to England, settling in Leeds, and took up the causes that had become his passion. These included nuclear disarmament, far-Left ...
... philosopher was morally untenable in current society and in 1976 he resigned his position. He decamped to England, settling in Leeds, and took up the causes that had become his passion. These included nuclear disarmament, far-Left ...
Page 7
... philosophers for solving the problem of negative truths, but that criticism must be tempered by the acknowledgement that where they have failed, so have I. It is an impasse and at present I cannot see the way out. (2000: 85) Molnar ...
... philosophers for solving the problem of negative truths, but that criticism must be tempered by the acknowledgement that where they have failed, so have I. It is an impasse and at present I cannot see the way out. (2000: 85) Molnar ...
Page 9
... philosophers with the problem of the missing reduction base. Molnar categorizes and dismisses each of the resisting responses that have been offered to the problem, from the claim that the missing base is there but unknown to the claim ...
... philosophers with the problem of the missing reduction base. Molnar categorizes and dismisses each of the resisting responses that have been offered to the problem, from the claim that the missing base is there but unknown to the claim ...
Contents
1 | |
POWERS | 19 |
Properties | 21 |
On What There Is | 47 |
3 Directedness | 60 |
4 Independence | 82 |
5 Actuality | 99 |
6 Intrinsicality | 102 |
8 Do Powers Need Grounds? | 125 |
9 The Ontology of Powers | 143 |
10 NonPowers | 158 |
11 Objections Considered | 173 |
12 Powers at Work | 186 |
References | 224 |
Index | 233 |
7 Objectivity | 111 |
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Common terms and phrases
accept According actual analysis answer appear applied argued argument Armstrong atomic basic bearers behaviour believe causal cause Chapter claim complex concept conclusion conditional connections consider contains contingent definition depends derivative determinate directed dispositional distinct effects entail essential example exist experience explain express extrinsic fact force fundamental give given grounded Hume Humean idea identity important impossible independent intentional object intentionality intrinsic intrinsic properties involve kind laws Lewis logical manifestation matter meaning mental metaphysics modal Molnar nature necessary necessity non-powers object occur ontological pain particles particular philosophers physical position possible powers predicates principle priori probability problem properties propositions qualities question realism reason reduction relation respect response seems sense shape sides simple space statement strong structural suggests theory Thesis thing tion tropes true truth truthmakers turn types universals whole