ABSTRACT
This chapter argues about causal powers and categorical dimensions. It presents here that there are two essentially different kinds of properties of physical systems. There are properties whose natures are dispositional, and ones whose natures are structural. The former are often grouped together as causal powers, and the latter as categorical properties. Consequently, the causal dimensions of things are ontologically dependent on the categorical ones. It will also be argued that the categorical dimensions are epistemically dependent on the causal ones. The causal powers involved in this case are just the sources of the light that illuminates the body, the powers of the bodys surface or clothing to reflect light of various wavelengths, and the special reflective powers of the mirror involved. The properties of as causal powers are of a number of different kinds. There are properties, such as the power of one negatively charged particle to repel another, that are straightforwardly causal powers.
