Single Idea 14902

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 1. Laws of Nature]

Full Idea

It is possible that uninstantiated laws can be established in science, and consequently bear explanatory weight, ..if we need reasons for thinking that the closer conditions get to some limit, the more they approximate to some ideal.

Gist of Idea

Science may have uninstantiated laws, inferred from approaching some unrealised limit

Source

J Ladyman / D Ross (Every Thing Must Go [2007], 1.2.3)

Book Reference

Ladyman,J/Ross,D: 'Every Thing Must Go' [OUP 2007], p.24


A Reaction

[The cite Hüttemann 2004] I am dubious about laws, but I take this to be a point in favour of inference to the best explanation, and against accounts of laws as supervenient of how things actually are.