# Powers: A History \(Oxford Philosophical Concepts\)

Powers: A History \(Oxford Philosophical Concepts\) traces philosophical accounts of powers and dispositions from antiquity to the present. Its chapters address how these concepts explain change and natural activity, with four reflection essays drawing on other disciplines.

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## At a glance

- Focuses on powers and dispositions as metaphysical explanations of why things change and act in particular ways.
- Covers thinkers from antiquity through the present, including Plato, Leibniz, Cavendish, Shepherd, Kant, and Hegel.
- Includes four short reflection essays addressing music, West African religions, chemistry, and art.

## Pros

- Offers a historical scope spanning ancient thought to contemporary analytic metaphysics.
- Connects a specialized metaphysical topic to perspectives from four other disciplines.

## Specifications

### Publication
- Publisher: Oxford University Press
- Publication date: May 14, 2021
- Edition: 1st
- Language: English
- Print length: 336 pages
### Identifiers
- ISBN-10: 0190925523
- ISBN-13: 978-0190925529
### Dimensions and installation
- Weight listed: 13.6 ounces
- Dimensions: 8.2 x 0.9 x 5.4 inches

## Before you buy

- The listed details identify a first English-language edition with 336 pages. The description emphasizes a specialist history of metaphysical powers, so readers seeking a general introduction to philosophy may find the subject narrower than expected.

## A good fit for

- Readers studying metaphysics, powers, dispositions, or explanations of natural change.
- Researchers interested in the historical development of philosophical concepts and cross-disciplinary reflection.

## Less suited to

- Readers looking primarily for a broad survey of philosophy or a practical guide to everyday topics.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the book about?
It examines the history of powers and dispositions as metaphysical concepts used to explain natural changes and activities.
### Which periods and thinkers does it cover?
The description says it spans antiquity to the present and names thinkers including Anaxagoras, Plato, the Stoics, Leibniz, Margaret Cavendish, Mary Shepherd, Kant, and Hegel.
### Does it include perspectives beyond philosophy?
Yes. The listing describes four short reflection essays concerning history of music, West African religions, history of chemistry, and history of art.

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## Images

![Powers: A History \(Oxford Philosophical Concepts\) — 1](https://best-deals.pro/i/1XoJmrML09mTwPcYS5_NddA2FX2HAT0g5TcbKi9hUjhHO-vCOtT8pztcBYnqgtojo0zqiJY8Apky7UMi1q5MpvOvCoZq1W5GgR1sqsnUEQ.jpg)