more from Stephen Mumford

Single Idea 9412

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 11. Against Laws of Nature]

Full Idea

Laws are a solution to a problem that was misconceived. Only if you think that the world would be otherwise inactive or inanimate, do you have the need to add laws to your ontology.

Gist of Idea

You only need laws if you (erroneously) think the world is otherwise inert

Source

Stephen Mumford (Laws in Nature [2004], 01.5)

Book Reference

Mumford,Stephen: 'Laws in Nature' [Routledge 2006], p.14


A Reaction

This is a bold and extreme view - and I agree with it. I consider laws to be quite a useful concept when discussing nature, but they are not part of the ontology, and they don't do any work. They are metaphysically hopeless.