How the Laws of Physics Lie - Softcover

Cartwright, Nancy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0198247044 ISBN 13: 9780198247043

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA, 1983

Synopsis

In this sequence of philosophical essays about natural science, Nancy Cartwright argues that fundamental explanatory laws, the deepest and most admired successes of modern physics, do not in fact describe the regularities that exist in nature. Yet she is not 'anti-realist'. Rather, she draws a novel distinction, arguing that theoretical entities, and the complex and localized laws that describe them, can be interpreted realistically, but that the simple unifying laws of basic theory cannot.

About this title

Product Description:

In this sequence of philosophical essays about natural science, the author argues that fundamental explanatory laws, the deepest and most admired successes of modern physics, do not in fact describe regularities that exist in nature. Cartwright draws from many real-life examples to propound a novel distinction: that theoretical entities, and the complex and localized laws that describe them, can be interpreted realistically, but the simple unifying laws of basic theory cannot.

Review:

The issues raised are very important and highly controversial ... I believe the book to be of importance in inviting philosophers to take a new look at the way physics is actually done, and what their reaction to that practice might be. (M. L. G. Redhead, Philosophical Quarterly)

a significant addition to the literature (W. H. Newton-Smith, Times Literary Supplement)

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Publication date: 1983
• ISBN 10: 0198247044
• ISBN 13: 9780198247043
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 232