Full Idea
Is Newton's First Law about what has actually happened or is it about what might, or could possibly happen? Is it about the actual events and states of the world, or possible events and states?
Gist of Idea
Are laws about what has or might happen, or do they also cover all the possibilities?
Source
Rom Harré (Laws of Nature [1993], 2)
Book Reference
Harré,Rom: 'Laws of Nature' [Duckworth 1993], p.39
A Reaction
I presume the first sentence distinguishes between what 'might (well)' happen, and what 'could (just) possibly happen'. I take it for granted that laws predict the actual future. The question is are they true of situations which will never occur?