Single Idea 15125

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 6. Laws as Numerical]

Full Idea

We know the laws of the physical world, in so far as they are mathematical, pretty well, but we know nothing else about it.

Gist of Idea

We only know the mathematical laws, but not much else

Source

John Hawthorne (Causal Structuralism [2001], Ch.25)

Book Reference

Hawthorne,John: 'Metaphysical Essays' [OUP 2002], p.264


A Reaction

Lovely remark [spotted by Hawthorne]. This sums up exactly what I take to be the most pressing issue in philosophy of science - that we develop a view of science that has space for the next step in explanation.