Laws and Lawmakers: Science, Metaphysics, and the Laws of Nature
| AUTHOR | Lange, Marc |
| PUBLISHER | Oxford University Press (07/09/2009) |
| PRODUCT TYPE | Paperback (Paperback) |
Description
Laws of nature have long puzzled philosophers. What distinguishes laws from facts about the world that do not rise to the level of laws? How can laws be contingent and nevertheless necessary? In this brief, accessible study, Lange offers provocative and original answers to these questions. He argues that laws are distinguished by their necessity, which is grounded in primitive subjunctive facts (expressed by counterfactual conditionals). While recognizing that natural necessity is distinct from logical, metaphysical, and mathematical necessity, Lange explains how natural necessity constitutes a species of the same genus as those other varieties of necessity. Along the way, Lange discusses the relation between laws and objective chances, as well as such unjustly neglected topics as the completeness of the laws of physics and whether the laws of nature can change. Lange's elegant, engagingly written book is non-technical and suitable for undergraduate philosophers (and undergraduate scientists interested in the logical foundations of science). It is "must reading" for metaphysicians and philosophers of science working on laws, chance, counterfactuals, modality, or the philosophy of physics.
Show More
Product Format
Product Details
ISBN-13:
9780195328141
ISBN-10:
0195328140
Binding:
Paperback or Softback (Trade Paperback (Us))
Content Language:
English
More Product Details
Page Count:
280
Carton Quantity:
30
Product Dimensions:
5.40 x 0.60 x 8.10 inches
Weight:
0.70 pound(s)
Feature Codes:
Bibliography,
Index,
Table of Contents,
Illustrated
Country of Origin:
US
Subject Information
BISAC Categories
Science | Philosophy & Social Aspects
Science | Metaphysics
Dewey Decimal:
113
Library of Congress Control Number:
2008041648
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc.
publisher marketing
Laws of nature have long puzzled philosophers. What distinguishes laws from facts about the world that do not rise to the level of laws? How can laws be contingent and nevertheless necessary? In this brief, accessible study, Lange offers provocative and original answers to these questions. He argues that laws are distinguished by their necessity, which is grounded in primitive subjunctive facts (expressed by counterfactual conditionals). While recognizing that natural necessity is distinct from logical, metaphysical, and mathematical necessity, Lange explains how natural necessity constitutes a species of the same genus as those other varieties of necessity. Along the way, Lange discusses the relation between laws and objective chances, as well as such unjustly neglected topics as the completeness of the laws of physics and whether the laws of nature can change. Lange's elegant, engagingly written book is non-technical and suitable for undergraduate philosophers (and undergraduate scientists interested in the logical foundations of science). It is "must reading" for metaphysicians and philosophers of science working on laws, chance, counterfactuals, modality, or the philosophy of physics.
Show More
Author:
Lange, Marc
Marc Lange is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Washington. He is author of "Natural Laws in Scientific Practice "(2000).
Show More
List Price $46.99
Your Price
$46.52