Laws of Nature and Chances - What Breathes Fire Into the Equations

Barry Loewer presents a novel account of the metaphysics of laws of nature, chances, fundamental ontology, and the space-time arena they occupy. He discusses the history of the concept of laws of nature, and shows how his Package Deal Account overcomes the problems of rival views and can accommodate recent developments in physics.

List of contents

• Preface


• 1: Introduction


• 2: Non-Humean accounts of the metaphysics of laws


• 3: The BSA Humean account of the metaphysics of laws


• 4: Objections to the BSA


• 5: Problems with perfectly Natural Properties


• 6: Super Humeanism


• 7: The PDA


• 8: The PDA and Chance


• 9: Special Science laws


• 10: Relativism and Realism


• 11: Reprise and Conclusion

About the author

Barry Loewer is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Rutgers University. He recieved his PhD from Stanford University in 1975. He taught first at the University of South Carolina before joining Rutgers University in 1989. Loewer is the co-editor of Meaning, Mind, and Matter (OUP, 2015).

Summary

Barry Loewer presents a novel account of the metaphysics of laws of nature, chances, fundamental ontology, and the space-time arena they occupy. He discusses the history of the concept of laws of nature, and shows how his Package Deal Account overcomes the problems of rival views and can accommodate recent developments in physics.

Product details

• Authors: Barry Loewer, Barry (Distinguished Professor of Philosop Loewer, Barry (Distinguished Professor of Philosophy Loewer, Loewer Barry
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 25.07.2024
• EAN: 9780198907695
• ISBN: 978-0-19-890769-5
• No. of pages: 160
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Philosophy > General, dictionaries; Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Natural sciences (general); PHILOSOPHY / Metaphysics, SCIENCE / Physics / General, SCIENCE / Philosophy & Social Aspects, MATHEMATICS / History & Philosophy, Philosophy of Science, Physics, Philosophy: metaphysics & ontology, Philosophy of Mathematics, Philosophy: metaphysics and ontology