Cambridge University Press (2001)
Abstract |
Scientific Essentialism defends the view that the fundamental laws of nature depend on the essential properties of the things on which they are said to operate, and are therefore not independent of them. These laws are not imposed upon the world by God, the forces of nature or anything else, but rather are immanent in the world. Ellis argues that ours is a dynamic world consisting of more or less transient objects which are constantly interacting with each other, and whose identities depend on their roles in these processes. Natural objects must behave as they do, because to do otherwise would be contrary to their natures. The laws of nature are, therefore, metaphysically necessary, and consequently, there are necessary connections between events. Brian Ellis calls for the rejection of the theory of Humean Supervenience and an implementation of a new kind of realism in philosophical analysis.
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Keywords | Essentialism (Philosophy Science Philosophy |
Categories | (categorize this paper) |
Reprint years | 2007, Cambridge, 2001 |
Buy this book | $53.66 new (7% off) $57.99 from Amazon $77.95 used Amazon page |
Call number | B105.E65.E45 2001 |
ISBN(s) | 9780521037747 9780521800945 0521037743 0521800943 |
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Properties.Francesco Orilia & Michele Paolini Paoletti - 2020 - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
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