Common ground for laws and metaphysical modality
Philosophers in general, and metaphysicians in particular, are largely concerned with metaphysical modality, that is, with what is possible and necessary, in the broadest sense, and with what makes propositions about metaphysical modality true. Metaphysicians are also concerned with ontology, that is, with what exists and the nature of what exists. Ontology covers such questions as 'do numbers exist?' and 'do universals exist?' and, if numbers and universals do exist, 'what are they like?' and 'how do they exist?'. The laws of nature, such as the law of universal gravitation, Coulomb's law and the SchroÌdinger equation, for example, raise interesting philosophical questions at the intersection of metaphysics and the philosophy of science, such as 'what is the relationship between laws of nature and scientific explanation?' and 'in what sense, if any, are we free to break the laws?'. Questions about modality, ontology and laws of nature connect in interesting ways. The kinds of things - propositions, universals, possible worlds, etc. - that one is willing to countenance will impact what one can say about the metaphysics of modality and natural laws. The point is illustrated nicely via consideration of Humean
Kimpton-Nye, Samuel
Common ground for laws and metaphysical modality. Philosophers in general, and metaphysicians in particular, are largely concerned with metaphysical modality, that is, with what is possible and necessary, in the broadest sense, and with what makes propositions about metaphysical modality true. Metaphysicians are also concerned with ontology, that is, with what exists and the nature of what exists. Ontology covers such questions as 'do numbers exist?' and 'do universals exist?' and, if numbers and universals do exist, 'what are they like?' and 'how do they exist?'. The laws of nature, such as the law of universal gravitation, Coulomb's law and the SchroÌdinger equation, for example, raise interesting philosophical questions at the intersection of metaphysics and the philosophy of science, such as 'what is the relationship between laws of nature and scientific explanation?' and 'in what sense, if any, are we free to break the laws?'. Questions about modality, ontology and laws of nature connect in interesting ways. The kinds of things - propositions, universals, possible worlds, etc. - that one is willing to countenance will impact what one can say about the metaphysics of modality and natural laws. The point is illustrated nicely via consideration of Humean
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