The Software of the Universe: An Introduction to the History and Philosophy of Laws of Nature (Ashgate New Critical Thinking in Philosophy)

Dorato, Mauro

ISBN 10: 0754639940 / ISBN 13: 9780754639947

Published by Ashgate, 2005

About this Item

This is a clear and well-written guide to the philosophy of laws of nature and offers a critical survey of the main positions debated in the current literature on the nature of 'laws of nature'. Series Editor(s): Friggieri, Professor Joseph; Gatens, Professor Moira; Glendinning, Dr. Simon; Goldman, Professor Alan; Helm, Professor Paul; Lamb, Professor David; Lipton, Professor Peter; Musgrave, Professor Alan; Oates, Moore. Series: Ashgate New Critical Thinking in Philosophy. Num Pages: 174 pages. BIC Classification: PDA. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 234 x 156. Weight in Grams: 406. Good clean copy with minor shelfwear. Illustrated covers, no DJ as issued, remains very good. 2005. hardcover. . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland. Seller Inventory # KSK0000481

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Software of the Universe: An ...

Publisher: Ashgate

Publication Date: 2005

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis:

The Software of the Universe introduces the history and philosophy of the concept of 'laws of nature' addressing both philosophers and scientists with an interest in the methodological and philosophical issues raised by their disciplines. The book reconstructs the main stages of the historical development of the idea of laws of nature and claims that an explanation of the mysterious effectiveness of mathematics in the description of the empirical world is also a key to understanding the nature of laws and their function in our knowledge. The role played by laws in scientific theories and practice is analysed and related to the idea of structural realism, while the centrality of the notion of dispositional properties, regarded as the truth-makers of scientific laws, is also defended in the context of the softer sciences such as psychology and sociology. Dorato shows that since all physical laws are valid ceteris paribus, the concept of law has universal applicability in all the empirical sciences. This book is a clear and well-written guide to the philosophy of laws of nature and offers a critical survey of the main positions debated in the current literature on the nature of 'laws of nature'.

About the Author:

Dr Mauro Dorato is Associate Professor for the Philosophy of Science, Department of Philosophy, University of Rome 3, Italy.