<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>This work deals with obstacles hindering a metaphysics of laws of nature in terms of dispositions, i.e., of fundamental properties that are causal powers. A recent analysis of the principle of least action has put into question the viability of dispositionalism in the case of classical mechanics, generally seen as the physical theory most easily amenable to a dispositional ontology. Here, a proper consideration of the framework role played by the least action principle within the classical image of the world allows us to build a consistent metaphysics of dispositions as charges of interactions. In doing so we develop a general approach that opens the way towards an ontology of dispositions for fundamental physics also beyond classical mechanics.</p>
</abstract>

This work deals with obstacles hindering a metaphysics of laws of nature in terms of dispositions, i.e., of fundamental properties that are causal powers. A recent analysis of the principle of least action has put into question the viability of dispositionalism in the case of classical mechanics, generally seen as the physical theory most easily amenable to a dispositional ontology. Here, a proper consideration of the framework role played by the least action principle within the classical image of the world allows us to build a consistent metaphysics of dispositions as charges of interactions. In doing so we develop a general approach that opens the way towards an ontology of dispositions for fundamental physics also beyond classical mechanics.

Dispositions and the Least Action Principle

Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso

Disputatio

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Dispositions and the Least Action Principle"}

This work deals with obstacles hindering a metaphysics of laws of nature in terms of dispositions, i.e., of fundamental properties that are causal powers. A...

Dispositions and the Least Action Principle

Published Online: Jan 17, 2023

Page range: 91 - 104

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/disp-2022-0006

Keywords
classical mechanics, dispositionalism, laws of nature, least action principle, scientific metaphysics

© 2022 Federico Benitez et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Dispositions and the Least Action Principle

Published Online: Jan 17, 2023

Page range: 91 - 104

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/disp-2022-0006

Keywordsclassical mechanics, dispositionalism, laws of nature, least action principle, scientific metaphysics

© 2022 Federico Benitez et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
classical mechanics, dispositionalism, laws of nature, least action principle, scientific metaphysics