Abstract

Scientific metaphysics asserts that the findings of our best and most mature science can reveal metaphysical principles. In this paper, the findings of contemporary chemical investigation, specifically the chemical transformation of molecules, serves as a starting point for metaphysical reflection and allows us to identify metaphysical principles that ground characteristic features of chemical change. The causal nature of chemical change is described in terms of molecules that possess powers-based dispositional properties, with quantitative features fixed by governing laws of nature. Finally, the proposal is made that both laws of nature and metaphysical principles are primitive, fundamental principles of reality.