عنوان

The Metaphysics within physics

eng

The Metaphysics within physics

What fundamental account of the world is implicit in physical theory? Physics straight-forwardly postulates quarks and electrons, but what of the more intangible elements, such as laws of nature, universals, causation, and the direction of time? Do they have a place in the physical structure of the world? Tim Maudlin argues that the ontology derived from physics takes a form quite different from those most commonly defended by philosophers. Physics postulates irreducible fundamental laws, eschews universals, does not require a fundamental notion of causation, and makes room for the passage of time. In a series of linked essays, The Metaphysics Within Physics outlines an approach to metaphysics opposed to the Humean reductionism that motivates much analytical metaphysics. Book jacket.

Oxford

Oxford University

2007

197 p.: ill.; 25 cm.

Includes bibliographical references )p. ]192[-194( and index.

ISBN: 9780199218219

Tim Maudlin

1

A modest proposal concerning laws, counterfactuals, and explanations - - Why be Humean? -- Suggestions from physics for deep metaphysics -- On the passing of time -- Causation, counterfactuals, and the third factor -- The whole ball of wax -- Epilogue : a remark on the method of metaphysics.

، Metaphysics

، Physics -- Philosophy

Maudlin, Tim

AU

TI