Nature's Metaphysics

Nature's Metaphysics argues that a satisfactory philosophy of science requires a metaphysics that is based on the understanding that natural properties are essentially dispositional. Alexander Bird develops a dispositional essentialist account of the laws of nature, defending the claim that laws are metaphysically necessary. Professional philosophers and advanced students working in metaphysics and the philosophy of science will find this book bothprovocative and stimulating.

no one has yet elaborated and defended with so much subtlety, rigour, and depth the exciting new metaphysics of nature that replaces both versions of the traditional categoricalist picture of nature...Reading Bird is highly rewarding: he sheds new light on many problems by analysing them in a new way...Bird's book holds promise to become the authoritative statement of the new dispositionalist metaphysics., the book provides a wealth of interesting details, helpful distinctions, and valuable clarifications, as well as considered, scientifically informed and in-depth argument. Anyone interested in the metaphysics of dispositions, laws of nature and causation will find the book highly illuminating., Bird's book is well argued and provocative ... It is 'must reading' for all philosophers concerned with laws, dispositions, an fundamental properties., an excellent contribution to the burgeoning literature ... whether or not anyone should be convinced of these details of nature's metaphysics, this book certainly provides a wonderfully lucid understanding of what its properties and laws might be like if dispositional essentialism were true., The book is notable for its ambitious scope, its clarity, and its careful argumentation. It is a fine addition to the metaphysical literature about properties and laws of nature. It is already beginning to assume the status of a canonical text on the subject ... I recommend that all who want to engage with dispositional essentialism treat this as one of its indispensable texts.

Alexander Bird is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Bristol.