Ep. 339: Brian Ellis on the Metaphysics of Science (Part One) | The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast | A Philosophy Podcast and Blog (opens in new tab)

Subscribe to get parts 1 and 2 of this now, ad-free, plus tons of bonus content. On The Philosophy of Nature: A Guide to the New Essentialism (2002). What kind of metaphysics underlies chemistry and physics? Ellis argues that items such as chemical elements and physical particles have essences, and that these essential properties determine their behavior, which is characterized by scientific laws. Thus, these laws are necessary; they apply in all possible worlds. The post Ep. 339: Brian Ellis...