The problem of nomological harmony

Brian Cutter, Bradford Saad

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Our universe features a harmonious match between laws and states: applying its laws to its states generates other states. This is a striking fact. Matters might have been otherwise. The universe might have been stillborn in a state unengaged by its laws. The problem of nomological harmony is that of explaining the noted striking fact. After introducing and developing this problem, we canvass candidate solutions and identify some of their virtues and vices. Candidate solutions invoke the likes of a designer, axiarchic meta-laws, multiverses, essential causal powers, and Humean laws.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)482-504
Number of pages23
JournalNoûs
Volume58
Issue number2
Early online date20 May 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2024

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