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Putting Powers Back on Multi-Track

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Power theorists are divided on the question of whether individual powers are single-track (for a single manifestation type) or are multi-track (capable of producing distinct manifestation types for distinct stimuli). EJ Lowe has recently defended single-tracking, arguing that the multi-tracker can provide no adequate reason for treating powers as capable of having multiple manifestation types, and claiming that putative instances of multi-track powers are either single-track powers in need of unifying descriptions or are merely several single-track powers. I respond to Lowe on behalf of the multi-tracker, first by arguing that he overlooks the extra-empirical features of the debate, then by posing a dilemma for any single-track account of powers concerning the single-tracker's ability to appropriately deal with fine-grained manifestation types. Finally I provide the aforementioned reason for thinking that there are multi-track powers.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)581-595
Number of pages15
JournalPhilosophia (United States)
Volume39
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2011

Keywords

  • Dispositions
  • Essence
  • Individuation
  • Multi-track
  • Powers

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