Single Idea 3977

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 9. Counterfactual Claims]

Full Idea

Laws are true generalisations that support counterfactuals and are confirmed by their instances.

Clarification

'Counterfactuals' make statements about what might happen, usually beginning with "If…"

Gist of Idea

Laws are true generalisations which support counterfactuals and are confirmed by instances

Source

Jerry A. Fodor (Jerry A. Fodor on himself [1994], p.293)

Book Reference

'A Companion to the Philosophy of Mind', ed/tr. Guttenplan,Samuel [Blackwell 1995], p.293


A Reaction

This seems correct, but it doesn't disentangle laws as mental states from laws as features of nature