disposition

disposition
A thing has a disposition to become F in a situation G if it is such that were G to come about, it would become F. Dispositions, potentials, or powers are thus certified by the outcomes that would arise in specified circumstances. Dispositional properties are frequently contrasted with categorical ones, thought of as underlying them, and permanently present, whereas dispositions are only realized or manifested in the circumstances specified. Thus a chemical substance is soluble in water if it is such that, were it placed in water, it would dissolve, and the categorical basis of this disposition will be the nature and configuration of its molecules. This way of thinking accords better with a corpuscularean or atomistic philosophy than with modern physical thinking, which finds no categorical basis underlying the notions like that of a charge, or a field, or a probability wave, that fundamentally characterize things, and which are apparently themselves dispositional. The distinction between dispositional and categorical properties is also threatened by the reflection that even solidity and shape, perhaps the best candidates for categorical properties, seem susceptible to a dispositional treatment: solidity in a body is its disposition to exclude other bodies from the region of space that makes its shape. See also counterfactual conditional, finkish.

Philosophy dictionary. . 2011.

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  • disposition — [ dispozisjɔ̃ ] n. f. • XIIe; lat. dispositio → disposer 1 ♦ Action de disposer, de mettre dans un certain ordre; résultat de cette action. Une disposition régulière d objets. ⇒ ordre, rangement. La disposition des massifs, des ornements. ⇒… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • disposition — DISPOSITION. s. f. Arrangement, situation. La disposition des parties du cerps, des organes. La disposition de ces lieux là étoit telle. La disposition d un jardin, d un tableau, d une architecture de bâtiment. La disposition des troupes. La… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie Française 1798

  • disposition — Disposition. subst. f. Arrangement, situation. La disposition des parties du corps, des organes. la disposition de ces lieux là estoit telle. la disposition de ces troupes. la disposition de la bataille. la disposition de son discours. la… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • disposition — dis·po·si·tion n 1 a: the final determination of a matter (as a case or motion) by a court or quasi judicial tribunal the beneficiary of such a disposition of charges against him United States v. Smith, 354 A.2d 510 (1976) compare decision,… …   Law dictionary

  • Disposition — Dis po*si tion, n. [F. disposition, dispositio, fr. disponere to dispose; dis + ponere to place. See {Position}, and cf. {Dispone}.] 1. The act of disposing, arranging, ordering, regulating, or transferring; application; disposal; as, the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Disposition — (von lat.: dispositio = „Aufteilung“,„Zuweisung“; „Anordnung“, „Verwaltung“, „Verfügung“ [dispositio omnipotens], „Fügung“ [schicksalhaft], „Aufstellung“, „Gliederung“, „Plan“) steht für: Disposition (Medizin), eine Anfälligkeit für die… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • disposition — [dis΄pə zish′ən] n. [ME disposicioun < OFr disposition < L dispositio < dispositus, pp. of disponere, to arrange: see DIS & POSITION] 1. a putting in order or being put in order; arrangement [the disposition of the troops] 2. management… …   English World dictionary

  • disposition — UK US /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/ noun ► [C or U] the process of selling something or formally giving it to someone: »We have no control over the disposition of the funds in that account. »Not more than 30% of a Fund s gross income can be derived from gains… …   Financial and business terms

  • disposition — 1 *disposal Analogous words: administering or administration, dispensing or dispensation (see corresponding verbs at ADMINISTER): management, direction, controlling or control, conducting or conduct (see corresponding verbs at CONDUCT):… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • disposition — [n1] personal temperament bag*, being, bent, bias, cast, character, complexion, constitution, cup of tea*, druthers*, emotions, flash, frame of mind, groove*, habit, humor, identity, inclination, individualism, individuality, leaning, make up,… …   New thesaurus

  • Dispositĭon — (v. lat.), 1) Anordnung, Verordnung; so hießen Dispositiones, die Verordnungen der römischen Kaiser für den Augenblick, z.B. wenn er in den Krieg ziehen, verreisen etc. wollte. Dieses gehörte in ein eigenes Departement (Scrinium). das unter dem… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

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