Smart, Benjamin T H and Thebault, Karim P Y (2015) Dispositions and the Principle of Least Action Revisited. [Preprint]
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Abstract
Some time ago, Joel Katzav (2004; 2005) and Brian Ellis (2005) debated the compatibility of dispositional essentialism with the principle of least action. Surprisingly, very little has been said on the matter since, even by the most naturalistically inclined metaphysicians. Here we revisit the Katzav-Ellis arguments of 2004-2005. We outline the two problems for the dispositionalist identified by Katzav in his 2004 (we call these the ‘contingent action-quantities’ and ‘explanatory’ objections), and claim they are not as problematic for the dispositional essentialist at it first seems – but not for the reasons espoused by Ellis.
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| Item Type: | Preprint | |||||||||
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| Keywords: | dispositions; least action principles; Katzav; Ellis; Bird | |||||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Causation General Issues > Explanation General Issues > Laws of Nature |
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| Depositing User: | Dr Benjamin Smart | |||||||||
| Date Deposited: | 30 May 2015 12:57 | |||||||||
| Last Modified: | 30 May 2015 12:57 | |||||||||
| Item ID: | 11490 | |||||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Causation General Issues > Explanation General Issues > Laws of Nature |
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| Date: | July 2015 | |||||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/11490 |
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