Single Idea 17993

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 8. Scientific Essentialism / c. Essence and laws]

Full Idea

The laws of a domain are the fundamental, general explanatory relationships between kinds, quantities, and qualities of that domain, that supervene upon the essential natures of those things.

Gist of Idea

Laws are relations of kinds, quantities and qualities, supervening on the essences of a domain

Source

Barbara Vetter (Dispositional Essentialism and the Laws of Nature [2012], 9.3)

Book Reference

Bird,Alexander: 'Nature's Metaphysics' [OUP 2007], p.201


A Reaction

Hm. How small can the domain be? Can it embrace the multiverse? Supervenience is a rather weak relationship. How about 'are necessitated/entailed by'? Are the relationships supposed to do the explaining? I would have thought the natures did that.