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Cartwright on laws and composition

Authors :
David Spurrett
Source :
International Studies in the Philosophy of Science. 15:253-268
Publication Year :
2001
Publisher :
Informa UK Limited, 2001.

Abstract

Cartwright attempts to argue from an analysis of the composition of forces, and more generally the composition of laws, to the conclusion that laws must be regarded as false. A response to Cartwright is developed which contends that properly understood composition poses no threat to the truth of laws, even though agreeing with Cartwright that laws do not satisfy the facticity requirement. My analysis draws especially on the work of Creary, Bhaskar, Mill, and points towards a general rejection of Cartwright's view that laws, especially fundamental laws, should be seen as false.

Details

ISSN :
14699281 and 02698595
Volume :
15
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
International Studies in the Philosophy of Science
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........b1b5db28290d29222ed90457d7623d73
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/02698590120080190