Single Idea 9420

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

Full Idea

Causal laws are consequences of those propositions which we should take as axioms if we knew everything and organized it as simply as possible in a deductive system.

Gist of Idea

Causal laws result from the simplest axioms of a complete deductive system

Source

Frank P. Ramsey (Law and Causality [1928], §B)

Book Reference

Ramsey,Frank: 'Philosophical Papers', ed/tr. Mellor,D.H. [CUP 1990], p.150


A Reaction

Cf. Idea 9418.

Related Idea

Idea 9418 All knowledge needs systematizing, and the axioms would be the laws of nature [Ramsey]