Prevailing Conception

The false idea that a theory in physics must be expressed in terms of initial conditions and laws of motion.

This misconception limits what counts as a physical theory. Many deep aspects of physics — Principles of Physics, emergent phenomena, constructor theory — cannot be expressed in the initial-conditions-plus-laws-of-motion framework.

Connections

• •A misconception about Laws of Physics and physical theories
• •Ignores Principles of Physics — which constrain laws at a deeper level
• •Related to Instrumentalism — both limit the scope of physical explanation
• •Emergence cannot be captured by the prevailing conception
• •Explanatory richness requires going beyond this framework
• •Universal Constructor theory transcends the prevailing conception