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Chapter 1 - The Need for Powers

Three Models of Physical Modality

from Part I - Why Powers?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 October 2022

William A. Bauer
Affiliation:
North Carolina State University
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Summary

What accounts for the fact that some physical events occur while others do not? This is a question of physical modality. Three models in contemporary analytic metaphysics have dominated the investigation of physical modality: the Neo-Humean Model, the Universals Model, and the Powers Model. Each model aims to explain, in ontologically conspicuous ways, the unfolding of possibilities in space and time. This chapter explains the Neo-Humean and Universals Models, then shows that while they explicitly deny a place for powers in their fundamental ontologies, they nonetheless implicate powers. That is, they subtly assume the reality of powers. As a result, the Powers Model is the way to go in explaining physical modality. However, there are different ways of conceiving powers. After describing variations of the Powers Model, the chapter returns to the main question posed in the introductory chapter: What is the nature of powers from the inside? Stricter attention to the internality of powers is necessary to better understand the Powers Model and its metaphysical commitments.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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  • The Need for Powers
  • William A. Bauer, North Carolina State University
  • Book: Causal Powers and the Intentionality Continuum
  • Online publication: 13 October 2022
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009214858.004
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  • The Need for Powers
  • William A. Bauer, North Carolina State University
  • Book: Causal Powers and the Intentionality Continuum
  • Online publication: 13 October 2022
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009214858.004
Available formats
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To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • The Need for Powers
  • William A. Bauer, North Carolina State University
  • Book: Causal Powers and the Intentionality Continuum
  • Online publication: 13 October 2022
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009214858.004
Available formats
×