Laws of Nature

This Element provides an opinionated introduction to the metaphysics of laws of nature.

Tyler Hildebrand (Author)

9781009111126, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 16 March 2023

75 pages
22.7 x 15.2 x 0.6 cm, 0.17 kg

This Element provides an opinionated introduction to the metaphysics of laws of nature. The first section distinguishes between scientific and philosophical questions about laws and describes some criteria for a philosophical account of laws. Subsequent sections explore the leading philosophical theories in detail, reviewing the most influential arguments in the literature. The final few sections assess the state of the field and suggest avenues for future research.

1. Introduction
2. Humeanism
3. Objections to Humeanism
4. Non-Humean Theories of Laws
5. Conceptual Objections to Non-Humeanism
6. Further Problems for Non-Humean Theories
7. The Explanatory Argument for Non-Humeanism
8. Epistemological and Methodological Issues
9. An Alternative to Humeanism and Non-Humeanism.

Subject Areas: Philosophy [HP]