On Powers BSAs.

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 argu...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Philosophical Quarterly Vol. 73; no. 2; pp. 452 - 476
Autor principal: Friend, Toby
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Oxford University Press / USA Apr2023
Materias:
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario: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.