The metaphysics within physics / Tim Maudlin.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Maudlin, Tim, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Metaphysics.

Physics--Philosophy.

Physics.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (197 pages) : illustrations

Place of Publication:

Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2007.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

What fundamental account of the world is implicit in physical theory? Physics straightforwardly postulates quarks and electrons, but what of the more intangible elements, such as laws of nature, universals, causation and the direction of time? Do they have a place in the physical structure of the world?Tim Maudlin argues that the ontology derived from physics takes a form quite different from those most commonly defended by philosophers. Physics postulates irreducible fundamental laws, eschews universals, does not require a fundamental notion of causation, and makes room for the passage of tim

Contents:

A modest proposal concerning laws, counterfactuals, and explanations - - Why be Humean?

Suggestions from physics for deep metaphysics

On the passing of time

Causation, counterfactuals, and the third factor

The whole ball of wax

Epilogue : a remark on the method of metaphysics.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (p. [192]-194) and index.

Description based on print version record.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

0-19-957537-1

1-281-14969-1

9786611149697

0-19-152732-7

1-4356-2174-3

OCLC:

191826873