Chen, Eddy Keming (2023) The Simplicity of Physical Laws. [Preprint]

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Abstract

Physical laws are strikingly simple, although there is no a priori reason they must be so. I propose that nomic realists of all types (Humeans and non-Humeans) should accept that simplicity is a fundamental epistemic guide for discovering and evaluating candidate physical laws. This principle of simplicity clarifies and addresses several problems of nomic realism and simplicity. A consequence is that the oft-cited epistemic advantage of Humeanism over non-Humeanism disappears, undercutting an influential epistemological argument for Humeanism. Moreover, simplicity is shown to be more tightly connected to lawhood than to mere truth.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Chen, Eddy Keming eddykemingchen@ucsd.edu 0000-0001-5144-0952
Keywords:	empirical equivalence, induction, underdetermination, determinism, strong determinism, primitivism, Humeanism, non-Humeanism, laws of nature, Bayesianism, comparative probability, expert principle
Subjects:	General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics General Issues > Explanation General Issues > Laws of Nature Specific Sciences > Physics General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Depositing User:	Dr. Eddy Keming Chen
Date Deposited:	12 Jun 2023 12:58
Last Modified:	12 Jun 2023 12:58
Item ID:	22205
Subjects:	General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics General Issues > Explanation General Issues > Laws of Nature Specific Sciences > Physics General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Date:	11 June 2023
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/22205

Available Versions of this Item

• The Simplicity of Physical Laws. (deposited 15 Oct 2022 03:34)
  • The Simplicity of Physical Laws. (deposited 12 Jun 2023 12:58) [Currently Displayed]
    • The Simplicity of Physical Laws. (deposited 24 Oct 2024 12:03)

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