Ideas from 'Scientific Realism' by Stathis Psillos [1999], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Scientific Realism' by Psillos,Stathis [Routledge 1999,0-415-20819-X]].

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8. Modes of Existence / B. Properties / 5. Natural Properties
Scientific properties are defined by the laws that embody them
                        Full Idea: For Psillos, properties in mature science are defined by the laws in which they feature.
                        From: report of Stathis Psillos (Scientific Realism [1999]) by J Ladyman / D Ross - Every Thing Must Go 3.5
                        A reaction: This is a perfect example of the Humean approach getting everything the wrong way round. Laws are not primitives from which we derive our account of nature - they are generalisations built up from the behaviour of prior properties.