Single Idea 12674

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / A. Classical Physics / 2. Thermodynamics / a. Energy]

Full Idea

Perhaps the most important of all multi-valued properties is energy itself. I think a scientific realist must believe that energy exists.

Gist of Idea

Energy is the key multi-valued property, vital to scientific realism

Source

Brian Ellis (The Metaphysics of Scientific Realism [2009], 2)

Book Reference

Ellis,Brian: 'The Metaphysics of Scientific Realism' [Acument 2009], p.45


A Reaction

It's odd that the existence of the most basic thing in physics needs a credo from a certain sort of believer. I have been bothered by notion of 'energy' for fifty years, and am still none the wiser. I'm sure I could be scientific realist without it.