more from Bertrand Russell

Single Idea 14174

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

Full Idea

For us, as pure mathematicians, the laws of motion and the law of gravitation are not properly laws at all, but parts of the definition of a certain kind of matter.

Gist of Idea

The laws of motion and gravitation are just parts of the definition of a kind of matter

Source

Bertrand Russell (The Principles of Mathematics [1903], §459)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'Principles of Mathematics' [Routledge 1992], p.485


A Reaction

The 'certain kind of matter' is that which has 'mass'. Since these are paradigm cases of supposed laws, this is the beginning of the end for real laws of nature, and good riddance say I. See Mumford on this.