Single Idea 13595

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 1. Laws of Nature]

Full Idea

Laws are not things that exist in the world; they are things that are true of the world.

Gist of Idea

Laws don't exist in the world; they are true of the world

Source

Brian Ellis (Scientific Essentialism [2001], 3.09)

Book Reference

Ellis,Brian: 'Scientific Essentialism' [CUP 2007], p.128


A Reaction

I'm happy with this formulation. The one to get rid of is the idea of laws which could precede creation of the universe, and survive its demise. That might be possible, but we have absolutely no grounds for the claim. Humeans ought to agree.