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Single Idea 9419
[filed under theme 26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 4. Regularities / b. Best system theory
]
Full Idea
A contingent generalization is a law of nature if and only if it appears as a theorem (or axiom) in each of the true deductive systems that achieves a best combination of simplicity and strength.
Gist of Idea
A law of nature is a general axiom of the deductive system that is best for simplicity and strength
Source
David Lewis (Counterfactuals [1973], 3.3)
Book Ref
Lewis,David: 'Counterfactuals' [Blackwell 2001], p.73
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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