A Minimal Metaphysics for Scientific Practice

Description

What are the metaphysical commitments which best 'make sense' of our scientific practice (rather than our scientific theories)? In this book, Andreas Hüttemann provides a minimal metaphysics for scientific practice, i.e. a metaphysics that refrains from postulating any structure that is explanatorily irrelevant. Hüttemann closely analyses paradigmatic aspects of scientific practice, such as prediction, explanation and manipulation, to consider the questions whether and (if so) what metaphysical presuppositions best account for these practices. He looks at the role which scientific generalisation (laws of nature) play in predicting, testing, and explaining the behaviour of systems. He also develops a theory of causation in terms of quasi-inertial processes and interfering factors, and he proposes an account of reductive practices that makes minimal metaphysical assumptions. His book will be valuable for scholars and advanced students working in both philosophy of science and metaphysics. Cover Half-title page Title page Copyright page Contents List of Figures Acknowledgements Introduction Chapter 1 Laws of Nature and Their Modal Surface Structure Chapter 2 The Problem of Ceteris Paribus Clauses Chapter 3 Causation – Conceptual Groundwork Chapter 4 Causation – Application and Augmentation Chapter 5 Reductive Practices Chapter 6 Reduction and Physical Foundationalism Chapter 7 Reduction and Ontological Monism Chapter 8 Concluding Remarks: Methods and Epistemic Sources in Metaphysics Bibliography Index