ABSTRACT
In this chapter, I argue that powers and abilities – “Aristotelian possibilities” – need a basis in possibilia of some kind. Aristotelian modal metaphysics cannot do without a sort of modal realism, though the modal realism necessary for it need not be of the (David) Lewisian sort. It is shown that Aristotle himself distinguished different notions of existence, and had a place in his thought for possibilia (that is, for entities which exist per se in the sense of being something, but not per se in the sense of being actual, although they can be actual). Aristotle’s possibilia, however, are not the best choice for being, qua possibilia, subjects purely of passive powers. It is shown which entities are the much better candidates for this ontological role.
