Single Idea 7016

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 9. General Causation / b. Nomological causation]

Full Idea

The notion that every causal sequence if backed by a law, like the idea that causation is a relation among particular events, forms a part of philosophy's Humean heritage.

Gist of Idea

The standard view is that causal sequences are backed by laws, and between particular events

Source

John Heil (From an Ontological Point of View [2003], 04.3)

Book Reference

Heil,John: 'From an Ontological Point of View' [OUP 2005], p.34


A Reaction

This nicely pinpoints a view that needs to come under attack. I take the view that there are no 'laws' - other than the regularities in behaviour that result from the interaction of essential dispositional properties. Essences don't need laws.