Biology and a Priori Laws

Bibliographic Data

ID10703267
AuthorsMehmet Elgin (corresponding author)
Year2003
Volume70
Issue5
Pages1380-1389
Publication date2003-12-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePhilosophy of Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0031-8248 • E-ISSN: 1539-767X
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1086/377415
OpenAlexW2086959767
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited22

In this paper, I investigate the nature of a priori biological laws in connection with the idea that laws must be empirical. I argue that the epistemic functions of a priori biological laws in biology are the same as those of empirical laws in physics. Thus, the requirement that laws be empirical is idle in connection with how laws operate in science. This result presents a choice between sticking with an unmotivated philosophical requirement and taking the functional equivalence of laws seriously and modifying our philosophical account. I favor the latter

A priori and a posteriori · Connection (principal bundle) · Empirical research · Epistemology · Equivalence (formal languages) · Physical law · Political science · Pure mathematics · Computer Science · Epistemology, Ethics, and Metaphysics · Law · Mathematics · Origins and Evolution of Life · Philosophy · Philosophy and History of Science

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