propensity

Compiled with AI assistance and selectively reviewed. Please consult the cited passages; the books remain the authoritative source. About this companion

Editorial synthesis · provisional

Definition

A propensity is an objective, situation-dependent weighting toward possible outcomes, rather than merely a guess or a guaranteed result. The books distinguish Popper's interpretation of probability from broader conditional trends in evolving systems. Relational developments locate these tendencies in configurations and changing constraints, not hidden powers of isolated substances; neither statistical direction nor objective possibility entails a predetermined goal.

Explanation

AB invokes Popper for a conditional leaning toward accumulated organization, allowing stagnation and limits. RB1 presents objective probability, including single trials, then broadens propensity to evolutionary trends. Its relational interpretation places persistence in ongoing individuation; its Juarrero discussion describes historically shaped probability landscapes rather than concealed forces.

PB identifies possibility with real weighting and represents propensities formally. Its module carries normalized weights, not selection of the outcome that actualizes; the transactional interpretation is adopted rather than proved. RB3 presents quantum propensities as indeterminacy within physical constraints, without purposeful guidance. RB2 connects propensities with productive indeterminacy in a law-table heading, but does not there develop a probability account. These treatments do not establish one mechanism across all domains.

Scope and attribution

Substantive treatments belong to AB, PB, RB1 and RB3. RB2's heading is contextual only. Dispositional property is a local characterization, not an unrestricted alias.

AB — The Actual Book

Conditional leaning under variation and selection allows stagnation and limits.

Occurrence locators: 31, 59, 60, 135; Epigraph: 66; Thinker register: 231; Notes: 239, 240.

PB — The Possible Book

Real weighting is formally represented without outcome selection or proof of the transactional reading.

Occurrence locators: 90, 146, 148, 149, 152, 159, 169, 173, 174.

RB1 — The Real Book, Volume I: The Possible Is Real

Objective probability is extended to evolutionary trends and relational configurations, with context-sensitive constraints rather than hidden forces.

Occurrence locators: 7, 57, 73, 107, 134, 143, 197, 255, 274, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 292, 300, 303, 304; Epigraph: 291.

RB3 — The Real Book, Volume III: Murmurations

Quantum tendencies operate within constraints without purposeful guidance.

Occurrence locators: 54, 55.

Background used in the editorial explanation

Domain-specific mechanisms and wider analogies remain distinguished. Original definitions retain their scope; local cross-references do not rewrite them. Named theories and mechanisms are distinguished from neighboring background, homonyms and the author’s own synthesis. Reproduced AI passages retain their separate voice.