Scientific law

Eyes wearing inverted lenses Philosophy of science

Foundations

Empiricism Rationalism Naturalism Materialism

Method

Scientific method Critical thinking A priori and a posteriori Evidence Falsifiability Reproducibility

Conclusions

Theory Law Science v - t - e

Scientific laws are repeatedly observed phenomena in nature that appear to be nearly universally true. Oftentimes laws will be developed from and described by mathematical models of the phenomena in question. Laws are different from theories in that they are not designed to provide a causal framework in which to describe why a series of observations reliably occur but are rather merely descriptions of the observed phenomenon; laws are not, as many assume, hierarchically ranked above theories in terms of verity. Creationists often like to refer to scientific laws as the unimpeachable authority of science and often try and use such things as the Second Law of Thermodynamics to argue against evolution. This is, of course, a logical fallacy that relies on equivocation.

A posteriori laws are capable of being precisely mathematically analyzed and described. They also permit the prediction of future events by extrapolation from past events or present circumstances.

For instance:

A law of gravity will tell you that two objects will be attracted to each other and the magnitude of the force, contrastingly a theory of gravity will offer an explanation for the existence of the force.

See also

• Science
• Other types of laws

References

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