Single Idea 9421

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 4. Regularities / b. Best system theory]

Full Idea

The best systems theory (of Mill-Ramsey-Lewis) says that laws are not seen as regularities but, rather, as those things from which regularities - or rather, the whole world history including the regularities and everything else - can be derived.

Gist of Idea

The best systems theory says regularities derive from laws, rather than constituting them

Source

Stephen Mumford (Laws in Nature [2004], 03.4)

Book Reference

Mumford,Stephen: 'Laws in Nature' [Routledge 2006], p.42


A Reaction

Put this way, the theory invites questions about ontology. Regularities are just patterns in physical reality, but axioms are propositions. So are they just features of human thought, or do these axioms actuallyr reside in reality. Too weak or too strong.