Symmetries and Laws in Physics. Philosophical Implications.

The time honored debate about the role of laws in physics has received an influx of fresh views with the increased significance of symmetries in quantum field theories. Crudely, the symmetries appear to bind the physical properties of spacetime in such a way as to make the traditional Humean views of properties as being categorical untenable, which, in turn, reinforces the views of laws as ‘guiders’ rather than ‘describers’. This paper argues that this position is wrong, supporting the viability of Humeanism about laws.

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