Prescribing laws to nature. Part I. Newton, the pre-Critical Kant, and three problems about the lawfulness of nature
Year: 2014
Type: article
Abstract: : This paper traces the early reflections of the pre-Critical Kant on laws of nature back to Newton’s governing conception of laws. Three problems with the Newtonian conception are identified. I argue that in the attempt to provide a solution to them, in 1763 Kant came to forge a novel governing conception of laws. Key to Kant’s novel view are the notions of ground and its determinations. The role of these two notions in delivering the nomological necessity, explanatory power, and unity of the laws of nature is discussed and analysed.
Source: Kant-Studien
Author: Michela Massimi
Institution: University of Edinburgh
Language: English
Subfield: Philosophy
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Leverhulme Trust
OpenAlex ID: W1603025871