John T. Roberts presents and defends a radically new theory of laws of nature, the Measurability Account. Though consistent with a Humean ontology, Roberts's theory differs sharply from the most influential Humean theory of laws, David Lewis's Best-System Analysis. Unlike other Humean theories, the Measurability Account affirms that there is an important sense in which the laws govern the universe, rather than simply describing it economically. Yet unlike non-Humean theories, it requires only minimal metaphysical commitments. In this way, it combines the advantages of Humean and non-Humean approaches to laws, while avoiding the pitfalls of each. At the heart of the Measurability Account are two new ideas: that lawhood is not a property of facts but rather a role that a proposition can play within a scientific theory, and that what is essential to laws is that they guarantee the reliability of methods of measuring natural quantities. On the basis of these ideas, Roberts argues that we can offer an informative and compelling explanation of why laws have the peculiar counterfactual resilience that sets them apart from accidental uniformities.

About the Author
John T. Roberts is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He received his BS in Physics from the Georgia Institute of Technology and his PhD in Philosophy from the University of Pittsburgh. His research focuses on the intersection of philosophy of science and metaphysics.

Reviews
this is an important book that deserves serious consideration by metaphysicians and philosophers of science alike. * Steven French, The Philosophical Quarterly *
The Law-Governed Universe is thoroughly original. It is also remarkably accessible given the hard issues in metaphysics, philosophy of language, and philosophy of science that are discussed ... For philosophers who are open-minded, appreciative of recent work on laws, and who still hold to the belief that there are solutions in philosophy, this a top-notch example of our craft. * John W. Carroll, British Journal for the Philosophy of Science *



Book Information
ISBN 9780199557707
Author John T. Roberts
Format Hardback
Page Count 420
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 792g
Dimensions(mm) 241mm * 162mm * 27mm