Understanding Dispositions: The Conditional Analysis Approach

Explore the concept of dispositions, also known as capacities or causal powers, and the traditional Conditional Analysis (CA) approach as a dominant account of dispositions. Learn about the features and examples of dispositions such as fragility, solubility, mass, and charge, and how objects exhibit specific causal interactions based on stimuli and manifestations.

• Dispositions
• Capacities
• Causal Powers
• Conditional Analysis
• Traditional Approach

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1. Modelling Dispositions Alex Carruth Durham Emergence Project Durham University

2. Dispositions (or Capacities, Tendencies, Causal Powers )

3. Dispositions (or Capacities, Tendencies, Causal Powers ) The features/properties in virtue of which things engage in particular causal interactions

4. Dispositions (or Capacities, Tendencies, Causal Powers ) The features/properties in virtue of which things engage in particular causal interactions Canonical examples: Fragility, Solubility

5. Dispositions (or Capacities, Tendencies, Causal Powers ) The features/properties in virtue of which things engage in particular causal interactions Canonical examples: Fragility, Solubility But also: Mass, Charge

6. The Conditional Analysis (CA) Traditionally dominant account of dispositions

7. The Conditional Analysis (CA) Traditionally dominant account of dispositions An object O has a disposition D just in case: If S occurs then O will M where 'S' is some 'stimulus' and 'M' some 'manifestation

8. The Conditional Analysis (CA) Traditionally dominant account of dispositions An object O has a disposition D just in case: If S occurs then O will M where 'S' is some 'stimulus' and 'M' some 'manifestation E.g. If the vase is struck, then it will break

9. The Conditional Analysis (CA) Traditionally dominant account of dispositions An object O has a disposition D just in case: If S occurs then O will M where 'S' is some 'stimulus' and 'M' some 'manifestation E.g. If the vase is struck, then it will break Relationally capture a disposition s nature: D(s,m)

10. Single- vs. Multi-track Dispositions Debate over the number and variety of manifestations associated with a single disposition

11. Single- vs. Multi-track Dispositions Debate over the number and variety of manifestations associated with a single disposition Quantitative multi-tracking vs. Qualitative multi-tracking

12. Single- vs. Multi-track Dispositions Debate over the number and variety of manifestations associated with a single disposition Quantitative multi-tracking vs. Qualitative multi-tracking If multi-tracking is right, the simple way that the CA models dispositions cannot be correct

13. Single- vs. Multi-track Dispositions Debate over the number and variety of manifestations associated with a single disposition Quantitative multi-tracking vs. Qualitative multi-tracking If multi-tracking is right, the simple way that the CA models dispositions cannot be correct Going to be more complex

14. How dispositions operate CA assumes a stimulus based account of how dispositions operate

15. How dispositions operate CA assumes a stimulus based account of how dispositions operate Alternative account: mutual manifestation Dispositions work together No distinction possible between the active disposition and the mere stimulus

16. How dispositions operate CA assumes a stimulus based account of how dispositions operate Alternative account: mutual manifestation Dispositions work together No distinction possible between the active disposition and the mere stimulus Non-reductive, unlike CA

17. How dispositions operate CA assumes a stimulus based account of how dispositions operate Alternative account: mutual manifestation Dispositions work together No distinction possible between the active disposition and the mere stimulus Non-reductive, unlike CA Possibly holistic

18. Four accounts of dispositions Single-track, stimulus-manifestation (the CA) D(s,m)

19. Four accounts of dispositions Single-track, stimulus-manifestation (the CA) D(s,m) Multi-track, stimulus-manifestation D{(s1,m1), (s2,m2), ,(sn,mn)}

20. Four accounts of dispositions Single-track, stimulus-manifestation (the CA) D(s,m) Multi-track, stimulus-manifestation D{(s1,m1), (s2,m2), ,(sn,mn)} Single-track, mutual-manifestation D1(D2,m1)

21. Four accounts of dispositions Single-track, stimulus-manifestation (the CA) D(s,m) Multi-track, stimulus-manifestation D{(s1,m1), (s2,m2), ,(sn,mn)} Single-track, mutual-manifestation D1(D2,m1) Multi-track, mutual-manifestation D1{(D2,m1),(D3,m2),...,(Dn,mn)}

22. How to react? Monism? if so, which account?

23. How to react? Monism? if so, which account? Pluralism? greater cost/complexity?

24. How to react? Monism? if so, which account? Pluralism? greater cost/complexity? Pragmatism? different responses for different tasks/contexts

25. Thanks!