Abstract
Can the desire for efficiently systematised theories in science be explained from within a powers metaphysics? It is plausible that the traditional 'Powers Theory of Laws', endorsed by many friends of powers, does not alone provide such an explanation. This has led a number of recent authors to argue that a 'Powers Best System Account' of laws would be a preferable alternative. This account borrows a method for determining laws from the Humean and applies it to a reality of powers. Here I claim, to the contrary, that this account is both internally unworkable and, anyway, completely undermotivated when compared with the traditional view. Apart from some brief suggestions for alternative accounts, I'll conclude that the powers theorist still has their work cut out to explain systematising in science.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 452-475 |
| Number of pages | 24 |
| Journal | Philosophical Quarterly |
| Volume | 73 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 1 2023 |
Keywords
- best systems account
- laws of nature
- powers
- powers theory of laws
- systematising in science
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'On Powers BSAs'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Cite this
- APA
- Author
- BIBTEX
- Harvard
- Standard
- RIS
- Vancouver