Natural laws, a problem for the autonomy of induction: Desiderio Papp’s philosophical approach

Abstract

The aims of this paper it to develop the analysis undertaken by Desiderio Papp concerning the return to the Euclidean view of science. This issue points to the central place occupied by geometry in the development of basic sciences beginning with the distinction between constant and necessary laws, and necessary laws are thought to be essential elements for scientific research. This operation is understood as the geometric vision of the world, a thesis opposed to positivistic philosophies which value induction. Papp does not believe in the autonomy of induction, a procedure he always considered as a form of deduction. Finally, I point out that Papp’s scientific outlook is neither empiricist nor idealist: it remains the possibility of ranging him among realists — this helps clear up his metaphysical commitment.