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Ideas for 'The Roots of Reference', 'The Epistemology of Essentialist Claims' and 'Later Letters to Dedekind'

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26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 5. Laws from Universals
Individuals enter into laws only through their general qualities and relations [McMichael]
     Full Idea: Individuals appear to enter into laws only through their general qualities and relations.
     From: Alan McMichael (The Epistemology of Essentialist Claims [1986], VIII)
     A reaction: This is a very significant chicken-or-egg issue. The remark seems to offer the vision of pre-existing general laws, which individuals then join (like joining a club). But surely the laws are derived from the individuals? Where else could they come from?