Scientific Essentialism

Examines the laws of nature.

Brian Ellis (Author)

9780521037747, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 19 July 2007

324 pages, 1 table
22.8 x 15.2 x 1.8 cm, 0.49 kg

"This is an impressive book.... what [Ellis] has presented is a theory of the metaphysical structure of the world..." Philosophy in Review

Scientific Essentialism defends the view that the fundamental laws of nature depend on the essential properties of the things on which they are said to operate, and are therefore not independent of them. These laws are not imposed upon the world by God, the forces of nature or anything else, but rather are immanent in the world. Ellis argues that ours is a dynamic world consisting of more or less transient objects which are constantly interacting with each other, and whose identities depend on their roles in these processes. Natural objects must behave as they do, because to do otherwise would be contrary to their natures. The laws of nature are, therefore, metaphysically necessary, and consequently, there are necessary connections between events. Brian Ellis calls for the rejection of the theory of Humean Supervenience and an implementation of a new kind of realism in philosophical analysis.

Preface
Introduction
Part I. Concepts: 1. Concepts of scientific essentialism
Part II. Ontology: 2. Natural kinds
3. Powers and dispositions
Part III. Scientific Explanation: 4. Realism and essentialism in science
5. Essentialism in the social sciences
Part IV. Laws of Nature: 6. Theories of laws of nature
7. Natural necessity
Part V. The New Essentialism: 8. The essentialist program
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Philosophy [HP]