Handbook of Potentiality

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, History, Criticism, & Surveys, Science & Nature, Science, Other Sciences, Philosophy & Social Aspects
Cover of the book Handbook of Potentiality by , Springer Netherlands
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9789402412871
Publisher: Springer Netherlands Publication: April 18, 2018
Imprint: Springer Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9789402412871
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Publication: April 18, 2018
Imprint: Springer
Language: English

This volume congregates articles of leading philosophers about potentials and potentiality in all areas of philosophy and the empirical sciences in which they play a relevant role. It is the first encompassing collection of articles on the metaphysics of potentials and potentiality.

Potentials play an important role not only in our everyday understanding of objects, persons and systems but also in the sciences. An example is the potential to become an adult human person. Moreover, the attribution of potentials involves crucial ethical problems. Bioethics makes references to the theoretical concept "potential" without being able to clarify its meaning. However, despite its relevance it has not been made subject of philosophical investigation. Mostly, potentials are regarded as a subspecies of dispositions. Whilst dispositions are a flourishing field of research, potentials as such have not come into focus. Potentials like dispositions are modal properties. But already a first glance at the metaphysics of potentials shows that concerning their ascription potentials are more problematic than dispositions since "potential" means that an entity has the potential to acquire a property in the future. Therefore, potentials involve a time structure of the entities in question that is much more complex than those of dispositions. 

This handbook brings this important concept into focus in its various aspects for the first time. It covers the history of the concept as well as contemporary systematic problems and will be of special interest for philosophers in the fields of general metaphysics, philosophy of science and ethics, especially bioethics. It will also be of interest to scientists and persons concerned with bioethical problems.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This volume congregates articles of leading philosophers about potentials and potentiality in all areas of philosophy and the empirical sciences in which they play a relevant role. It is the first encompassing collection of articles on the metaphysics of potentials and potentiality.

Potentials play an important role not only in our everyday understanding of objects, persons and systems but also in the sciences. An example is the potential to become an adult human person. Moreover, the attribution of potentials involves crucial ethical problems. Bioethics makes references to the theoretical concept "potential" without being able to clarify its meaning. However, despite its relevance it has not been made subject of philosophical investigation. Mostly, potentials are regarded as a subspecies of dispositions. Whilst dispositions are a flourishing field of research, potentials as such have not come into focus. Potentials like dispositions are modal properties. But already a first glance at the metaphysics of potentials shows that concerning their ascription potentials are more problematic than dispositions since "potential" means that an entity has the potential to acquire a property in the future. Therefore, potentials involve a time structure of the entities in question that is much more complex than those of dispositions. 

This handbook brings this important concept into focus in its various aspects for the first time. It covers the history of the concept as well as contemporary systematic problems and will be of special interest for philosophers in the fields of general metaphysics, philosophy of science and ethics, especially bioethics. It will also be of interest to scientists and persons concerned with bioethical problems.

More books from Springer Netherlands

Cover of the book Dismantling the Memory Machine by
Cover of the book Applied Ethics in a Troubled World by
Cover of the book Seismic Risk Assessment and Retrofitting by
Cover of the book Nutrition and Exercise in Obesity Management by
Cover of the book Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclones and Climate Change by
Cover of the book The Passing of the Frisians by
Cover of the book New Knowledge in the Biomedical Sciences by
Cover of the book Intravascular Ultrasound by
Cover of the book Global Instability by
Cover of the book Migration, Diaspora and Identity by
Cover of the book The Development of Hearing by
Cover of the book Higher Education in a Globalising World by
Cover of the book Evaluation in Decision Making by
Cover of the book Physicians of Western Medicine by
Cover of the book The Context of Explanation by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy