Metaphysics of Science: causes, laws, kinds, and dispositions

科学形而上学：原因、规律、种类和倾向

基本信息

批准号：
AH/D503833/1
负责人：
Alexander Bird
金额：
$ 95.39万
依托单位：
University of Bristol
依托单位国家：
英国
项目类别：
Research Grant
财政年份：
2006
资助国家：
英国
起止时间：
2006 至无数据
项目状态：
已结题

来源：
https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=AH%2FD503833%2F1
关键词：
Metaphysics Science causes laws kinds

项目摘要

We naturally think that what happens in the universe is governed by laws of nature. We also think that events are causally related lo other events, that things are naturally classified into kinds (physical, chemical and biological kinds, for example), and that at least some natural kinds have distinctive dispositions (for example, the disposition of NaCI to dissolve in water). This project explores how, or whether, all these distinct notions - law, cause, natural kind, and disposition - can be made to fit together into a coherent and unified worldview. For example, must two causally related events be such that they are members of kinds that are lawfully related? Must those kinds be natural kinds? Are natural kinds distinguished from one another by the fact that members of different kinds are disposed to behave in different ways? Research context The project builds on the philosophical success and fruitful working relationships developed by the 'Metaphysics in Science* Research Group, established in 2001 and funded since 2003 by a British Academy International Networks grant. The group has annual workshops, and its participants include the three applicants together with other philosopher working broadly within the metaphysics of science both in the UK and overseas. Regular participants include Paul Noordhof and Stephen Baricer (Nottingham), Stathis Psillos (Athens), Johannes Pereson and Anna-Sofia Maurin (Lund). James Ladyman (Bristol) and Alice Drewery (Reading). Other participants have included Peter Menzies (Macquarie), Phil Dowe (Queensland), Adam Elga (Princeton), Daniel Nolan {St Andrews), and Samir Okasha (Bristol). It also builds on the expertise of members of staff at the three participating institutions (some of whom are listed above). In particular, there are philosophers of science (Ladyman and Okasha at Bristol), metaphysicians (Noordhof, Rodriguez-Pereyra, Noonan and Mackie at Nottingham), and philosopher of language and mind (Baricer and Predelli at Nottingham, Brawn and Spicer at Bristol, and Milter, KOIbel and Byme at Birmingham). There are two further, crucial features of the research context that forms the background to this project. First, the general topics to be investigated are currently very active areas of philosophy worldwide which are generating a very great deal of interest. Second, the applicants themselves are at the forefront of international debate on causation, laws and dispositions. All have produced major published work on, and are engaged in on-going research in, these areas. Aims and objectives To produce and disseminate research of the highest quality on the interrelations between, and applications of. the notions of law, cause, natural kind and disposition. To bring together researchers in disparate fields who work on topics which draw on these notions in order to stimulate a broader and better-informed debate than would otherwise be possible, thus making greater progress on relevant philosophical problems (e.g. mental causation, scientific classification, the nature of natural kinds). Potential applications and benefits The project will benefit the research of the three participating UK departments but also lead to collaboration with and dissemination to a wider audience. It will also provide early career opportunities for postdoctoral fellows and study opportunities for PhD students working in these areas.

我们自然地认为宇宙中发生的事情是受自然法则支配的。我们还认为，事件与其他事件之间存在因果关系，事物自然地分为不同类型（例如，物理、化学和生物类型），并且至少某些自然类型具有独特的倾向（例如，氯化钠的倾向）。溶于水）。该项目探讨了如何或是否可以将所有这些不同的概念（法律、原因、自然种类和性情）整合在一起形成一个连贯且统一的世界观。例如，两个因果相关的事件是否必须是合法相关的种类的成员？这些类型必须是自然类型吗？自然种类之间的区别是否在于不同种类的成员倾向于以不同的方式行事这一事实？研究背景该项目建立在“科学中的形而上学”研究小组所取得的哲学成功和富有成效的工作关系的基础上，该研究小组成立于 2001 年，自 2003 年起由英国科学院国际网络拨款资助。该小组每年举办研讨会，参与者包括三位申请者以及在英国和海外广泛从事科学形而上学领域工作的其他哲学家。定期参与者包括 Paul Noordhof 和 Stephen Baricer（诺丁汉）、Statis Psillos（雅典）、Johannes Pereson 和 Anna-Sofia Maurin（隆德）。 James Ladyman（布里斯托尔）和 Alice Drewery（雷丁）。其他参与者包括 Peter Menzies（麦格理）、Phil Dowe（昆士兰）、Adam Elga（普林斯顿）、Daniel Nolan（圣安德鲁斯）和 Samir Okasha（布里斯托尔）。它还建立在三个参与机构工作人员（其中一些在上面列出）的专业知识的基础上。特别是，有科学哲学家（布里斯托尔的莱迪曼和奥卡莎），形而上学家（诺丁汉的诺德霍夫、罗德里格斯-佩雷拉、努南和麦基），以及语言和心灵哲学家（诺丁汉的巴里塞和普雷德里，布里斯托尔的布朗和斯派塞，以及伯明翰的 Milter、KOIbel 和 Byme）。研究背景还有两个更重要的特征构成了该项目的背景。首先，要研究的一般主题是目前全世界非常活跃的哲学领域，引起了极大的兴趣。其次，申请人本身处于关于因果关系、法律和处置的国际辩论的最前沿。他们都发表了有关这些领域的重要著作，并正在进行这些领域的研究。目的和目标产生和传播关于它们之间的相互关系和应用的最高质量的研究。法则、原因、自然种类和倾向的概念。将不同领域的研究人员聚集在一起，研究利用这些概念的主题，以激发比其他方式更广泛、更明智的辩论，从而在相关的哲学问题（例如心理因果关系、科学分类、自然种类的本质）。潜在的应用和好处该项目将有利于英国三个参与部门的研究，同时也将导致与更广泛受众的合作和传播。它还将为博士后研究员提供早期职业机会，并为在这些领域工作的博士生提供学习机会。