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Single Idea 16558

[from 'Thinking About Mechanisms' by Machamer,P/Darden,L/Craver,C, in 26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 11. Against Laws of Nature ]

Full Idea

The traditional notion of a law of nature has few, if any, applications in neurobiology or molecular biology.

Gist of Idea

Laws of nature have very little application in biology

Source

Machamer,P/Darden,L/Craver,C (Thinking About Mechanisms [2000], 3.2)

Book Reference

-: 'Philosophy of Science' [-], p.7


A Reaction

This is a simple and self-evident fact, and bad news for anyone who want to build their entire ontology around laws of nature. I take such a notion to be fairly empty, except as a convenient heuristic device.