Nature's Metaphysics : Laws and Properties

Bird, Alexander

Oxford University Press（2009/09発売）

• 製本 Paperback:紙装版/ペーパーバック版／ページ数 246 p.
• 言語 ENG
• 商品コード 9780199573110
• DDC分類 110

基本説明

New in paperback. Hardcover was published in 2007. Argues that a satisfactory philosophy of science requires a metaphysics that is based on the understanding that causal properties are essentially dispositional properties.

Full Description

Nature's Metaphysics argues that a satisfactory philosophy of science requires a metaphysics that is based on the understanding that natural properties are essentially dispositional. Alexander Bird develops a dispositional essentialist account of the laws of nature, defending the claim that laws are metaphysically necessary. Professional philosophers and advanced students working in metaphysics and the philosophy of science will find this book both provocative and stimulating.

Contents

1. Introduction - laws and properties ; 2. Dispositions ; 3. Dispositional essentialism and the laws of nature ; 4. Categoricalism ; 5. Dispositional essentialism, modality, and intentionality ; 6. The regress objection ; 7. Structural properties ; 8. The illusion of nomic contingency ; 9. Are there any laws, and if so what are they? ; 10. Concluding remarks ; References