This edited volume explores the history of the concept of metaphysical powers. Examples of such
powers include the power of fire to heat water the power of a wine glass to break and the
power of an acorn to grow into a tree. The volume traces the fascinating history of this
concept from antiquity to the present day with chapters written by experts in their fields.
Scholars probe the philosophical views of thinkers including Anaxagoras Plato the Stoics
Abelard Anselm Henry of Ghent Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Margaret Cavendish Mary Shepherd
Immanuel Kant Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel and numerous others. In addition the volume
contains four short reflection essays that examine the concept of powers from the perspective
of disciplines other thanphilosophy namely history of music West African religions history
of chemistry and history of art.
