Universität zu Köln

Huettemann, Andreas (2014). Ceteris Paribus Laws in Physics. Erkenntnis, 79. S. 1715 - 1729. DORDRECHT: SPRINGER. ISSN 1572-8420

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Abstract

Earman and Roberts (in Synthese 118:439-478, 1999) claim that there is neither a persuasive account of the truth-conditions of ceteris paribus laws, nor of how such laws can be confirmed or disconfirmed. I will give an account of the truth conditions of ceteris paribus laws in physics in terms of dispositions. It will meet the objections standardly raised against such an account. Furthermore I will elucidate how ceteris paribus laws can be tested in physics. The essential point is that physics provides methodologies for dealing with disturbing factors. For this reason disturbing factors need not be listed explicitly in law-statements. In virtue of the methodologies it is possible to test how systems would behave if the disturbing factors were absent. I will argue that this suffices to establish the tenability of the dispositional account of ceteris paribus laws.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Huettemann, Andreas UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-422217
DOI:	10.1007/s10670-014-9637-6
Journal or Publication Title:	Erkenntnis
Volume:	79
Page Range:	S. 1715 - 1729
Date:	2014
Publisher:	SPRINGER
Place of Publication:	DORDRECHT
ISSN:	1572-8420
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language NO Multiple languages Philosophy Multiple languages
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/42221