Thinking about Non-Universal Laws

Abstract

What are ceteris paribus (cp) laws? Which disciplines appeal to cp laws and which semantics, metaphysical underpinning, and epistemological dimensions do cp law statements have? Firstly, we give a short overview of the recent discussion on cp laws, which addresses these questions. Secondly, we suggest that given the rich and diverse literature on cp laws a broad conception of cp laws should be endorsed which takes into account the different ways in which laws can be nonuniversal (by being ''non-strict'', ''inexact'', ''exception-ridden'', ''idealized'' and so forth). Finally, we provide an overview of the special issue on that basis and describe the individual contributions to the special issue according to the issues they address: (a) the range of applications of cp laws as well as the (b) semantics, (c) metaphysics, and (d) epistemology pertaining to cp law statements.Both authors-Alexander Reutlinger and Matthias Unterhuber have contributed equally to this paper.

Tarih Yazımında Sınırlandırmalar: Tarihçi İçin Ceteris Paribus

“…Tüm bilimlerdeki ceteris paribus için yapılan itiraz (Reutlinger-Unterhuber 2014, 1703 tarih bilimi için daha etkili bir eleştiriyi peşin sıra getirecektir. Ceteris paribus, farzedilen ve kuramsal bir izahtır.…”

Yes! There are Resilient Generalizations (or “Laws”) in Ecology

“…Rather, it will come (if at all) by finding a reflective equilibrium among fundamental definitions in the philosophy of science. Such a solution might be a long time in coming (for a review, see Reutlinger and Unterhuber 2014). It therefore seems reasonable for an ecologist to wonder, can there be progress on the question of generality in ecology in the meantime?…”