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Powerful Substances Because of Powerless Powers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 August 2019

DAVIS KUYKENDALL
DAVIS KUYKENDALL*
Affiliation:
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITYdkuykend@gmu.edu
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Abstract

I argue that the debate between proponents of substance causation and proponents of causation by powers, as to whether substances or their powers are causes, hinges on whether or not powers (as properties) are self-exemplifying or non-self-exemplifying properties. Substance causation is committed to powers being non-self-exemplifying properties while causation by powers is committed to powers being self-exemplifying properties. I then argue that powers are non-self-exemplifying properties, in support of substance causation.

Keywords

substance causationcausation by powerspropertiescausationexemplification

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Articles
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Journal of the American Philosophical Association , Volume 5 , Issue 3 , Fall 2019 , pp. 339 - 356
Copyright
Copyright © American Philosophical Association 2019 

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