dispositionan

Dispositionan is a theoretical term used in philosophy and cognitive science to denote a scalar measure of the strength and stability of an object's or agent's dispositions—patterns of behavior that unfold when triggered by certain conditions. It is intended to provide a quantitative grip on how readily a disposition manifests, beyond qualitative descriptions.

Origin and usage: The coinage appears in contemporary debates on dispositions and propensities, often in discussions of dispositional realism and probabilistic theories of action. While not universally adopted, the term is used to distinguish the evaluative strength of a disposition from its mere presence.

Concept and interpretation: In many formulations, a dispositionan is modeled as a dimensionless value associated with an agent or system. In probabilistic interpretations, it is treated as a probability-like measure that the relevant disposition will actuate under a standard trigger, with context and history modulating its value. It is distinct from the actual action, representing a propensity that may or may not be realized.

Applications: Philosophers use dispositionan to compare agents’ propensities, AI researchers consider it when calibrating agent behavior under varying conditions, and ethicists examine it as a way to quantify normative dispositions such as honesty or cooperativeness.

Limitations and critique: Because dispositions depend on triggering conditions and background states, operationalizing a single metric is controversial. Critics warn that a dispositionan can oversimplify complex traits and obscure situational factors, potentially leading to reification.

See also: disposition, propensity, tendency, dispositional realism, propensity theory, probability.