ABSTRACT

Mumford outlines a major new theory of natural laws. His book begins with the question of whether there are any genuinely law-like phenomena in nature. The discussion addresses questions currently being debated by metaphysicians such as whether the laws of nature are necessary or contingent and whether a property can be identified independently of its causal role.

part |46 pages

Humean lawlessness

chapter |10 pages

The lawless world

chapter |15 pages

Hume's argument

part |59 pages

Nomological realism

part |81 pages

Realist lawlessness

chapter |17 pages

The Central Dilemma

chapter |22 pages

Modal properties

chapter |19 pages

Objections and replies

chapter |5 pages

Conclusion

Law and metaphor