more from J.H. Fetzer

Single Idea 15799

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 3. Laws and Generalities]

Full Idea

Lawlike sentences are conceived as logically general dispositional statements attributing permanent dispositional properties to every member of a reference class. ...Their basic form is that of subjunctive generalizations.

Gist of Idea

Lawlike sentences are general attributions of disposition to all members of some class

Source

J.H. Fetzer (A World of Dispositions [1977], 3)

Book Reference

-: 'Synthese' [-], p.407


A Reaction

I much prefer talk of 'lawlike sentences' to talk of 'laws'. At least they imply that the true generalisations about nature are fairly fine-grained. Why not talk of 'generalisations' instead of 'laws'? Fetzer wants dispositions to explain everything.

Related Idea

Idea 15797 All structures are dispositional, objects are dispositions sets, and events manifest dispositions [Fetzer]