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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
14361 | Lewis says indicative conditionals are truth-functional [Lewis, by Jackson] |
8434 | In good counterfactuals the consequent holds in world like ours except that the antecedent is true [Lewis, by Horwich] |
9419 | A law of nature is a general axiom of the deductive system that is best for simplicity and strength [Lewis] |