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Single Idea 8611
[filed under theme 26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 4. Regularities / b. Best system theory
]
Full Idea
A law of nature is any regularity that earns inclusion in the ideal system (or, in case of ties, in every ideal system).
Gist of Idea
A law of nature is any regularity that earns inclusion in the ideal system
Source
David Lewis (New work for a theory of universals [1983], 'Laws and C')
Book Ref
'Properties', ed/tr. Mellor,D.H. /Oliver,A [OUP 1997], p.215
A Reaction
Reminiscent of Peirce's view of truth (Idea 7661). This wouldn't seem to eliminate the danger of regularities with underlying causes ending up as laws (day causes night). Or very trivial regularities ending up as laws.
Related Idea
Idea 7661
Truth is the opinion fated to be ultimately agreed by all investigators [Peirce]
The
17 ideas
with the same theme
[laws are the simplest axioms that describe patterns]:
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9417
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What are the fewest propositions from which all natural uniformities could be inferred?
[Mill]
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9418
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All knowledge needs systematizing, and the axioms would be the laws of nature
[Ramsey]
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9420
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Causal laws result from the simplest axioms of a complete deductive system
[Ramsey]
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9419
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A law of nature is a general axiom of the deductive system that is best for simplicity and strength
[Lewis]
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9409
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Laws are the best axiomatization of the total history of world events or facts
[Lewis, by Mumford]
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9423
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If simplicity and strength are criteria for laws of nature, that introduces a subjective element
[Mumford on Lewis]
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9424
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A number of systematizations might tie as the best and most coherent system
[Mumford on Lewis]
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9425
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Lewis later proposed the axioms at the intersection of the best theories (which may be few)
[Mumford on Lewis]
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8611
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A law of nature is any regularity that earns inclusion in the ideal system
[Lewis]
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16179
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Good organisation may not be true, and the truth may not organise very much
[Cartwright,N]
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9422
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If the best system describes a nomological system, the laws are in nature, not in the description
[Mumford]
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9421
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The best systems theory says regularities derive from laws, rather than constituting them
[Mumford]
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4796
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Laws are sets of regularities within a simple and strong coherent system of wider regularities
[Psillos]
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18854
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The MRL view says laws are the theorems of the simplest and strongest account of the world
[Rosen]
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16270
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If laws are just regularities, then there have to be laws
[Maudlin]
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6745
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A regularity is only a law if it is part of a complete system which is simple and strong
[Bird]
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6802
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With strange enough predicates, anything could be made out to be a regularity
[Bird]
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