Single Idea 15872

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 7. Strictness of Laws]

Full Idea

Is a law of nature about everything in the universe or just about a restricted group of things?

Gist of Idea

Must laws of nature be universal, or could they be local?

Source

Rom Harré (Laws of Nature [1993], 2)

Book Reference

Harré,Rom: 'Laws of Nature' [Duckworth 1993], p.39


A Reaction

I presume the answer is that while a law may only refer to a small group of things, the law would still have to apply if that group moved or spread or enlarged, so it would have to be universals. A laws confined to one time or place? Maybe.