Nature's Metaphysics: Laws and Properties

by Alexander Bird

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199573110
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	01/04/2010
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	246
Sales rank:	845,605
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Alexander Bird is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Bristol.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction - laws and properties2. Dispositions3. Dispositional essentialism and the laws of nature4. Categoricalism5. Dispositional essentialism, modality, and intentionality6. The regress objection7. Structural properties8. The illusion of nomic contingency9. Are there any laws, and if so what are they? 10. Concluding remarksReferences

Editorial Reviews

"This is a rewarding book. In terms of area, it has one foot firmly planted in metaphysics and the other just as firmly set in the philosophy of science. Nature's Metaphysics is distinctive for its thorough and detailed defense of fundamental, natural properties as essentially dispositional and for its description of how these dispositional properties are thus suited to sustain the laws of nature as (metaphysically) necessary truths."—John W. Carroll, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

From the Publisher