A capacity or ability to bring about an effect or undergo a modification. Water has the power to dissolve salt; salt has the capacity to dissolve in water. The metaphysical problem lies in relating powers to other (‘categorical’) properties, the properties which are intrinsic to a substance and which do not require it being put in relation to other objects in order to be manifested. Powers seem to depend on more than intrinsic structure, but also on the laws of nature or other natural features of the universe surrounding the bearer of the powers. All claims about powers and their grounds are controversial. See also finkish.