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Cited by 6Philosophy and History of SciencePhilosophy, Science, and HistoryEpistemology, Ethics, and Metaphysics

Naturalness constraints on best systems accounts of laws

Hildebrand, Tyler·2019·Ratio
DOI 10.1111/rati.12242
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Abstract

According to best systems accounts, laws of nature are generalizations in the best systematization of particular matters of fact. Metrics such as simplicity and strength determine which systematization is best, but these are notoriously language relative. For this reason, David Lewis proposed a constraint on languages of inquiry: all predicates must be natural. This constraint is sometimes interpreted as requiring us to know which natural properties are instantiated in our world prior to scientific theorizing. I argue that this interpretation is incorrect. I provide a better interpretation and show how it undercuts an influential epistemological objection to Lewis's best systems account of laws due to Bas van Fraassen.

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Crossref · 10.1111/rati.12242

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  • Naturalness is a necessary property.

    “presumably naturalness is a necessary property (Hildebrand 2019: 165; Lewis 1986: 60-61, n. 44)”

    From The nomological argument for the existence of God (2022) · cites this paper as Hildebrand 2019

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Authors
Hildebrand, T.
Affiliations
Dalhousie University (CA)
Corresponding author
Hildebrand, Tyler
ORCID
Hildebrand, Tyler
Venue
Ratio
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2019-07-03
Volume
32
Issue
3
Pages
163-172
ISSN
  • 0034-0006 (ISSN-L)
  • 1467-9329
DOI
10.1111/rati.12242
OpenAlex
W2953730719
Cited by
6
References
1
Citations by year
2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1
FWCI
3.51
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
Ratio (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History and Philosophy of Science › Philosophy and History of Science
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History and Philosophy of Science › Philosophy, Science, and History
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Epistemology, Ethics, and Metaphysics
Keywords
laws of nature, David Lewis, Bas van Fraassen, simplicity, strength, predicate, epistemology of law, natural properties

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