{{Short description|Science of laws in philosophy}} In philosophy, '''nomology''' refers to a "science of laws" based on the theory that it is possible to elaborate descriptions dedicated not to particular aspects of reality but inspired by a scientific vision of universal validity expressed by scientific laws.
== Etymology == "Nomology" derives from the Greek {{Lang|grc|νόμος}}, ''law'', and {{Lang|grc|λόγος}}, ''reason''. The term nomology may come from Aristotle.<ref>{{cite book |translator-last1=Irwin |translator-first1=Terence |translator-last2=Fine |translator-first2=Gail |title=Aristotle: Selections |date=1995 |publisher=Hackett Publishing |isbn=978-0-915145-67-6 }}{{pn|date=October 2025}}</ref> The '-ology' suffix implies 'order', 'word' and 'reason', and is about being subjectively reasonable or 'logical' as in sociology and psychology. The 'nom-' part implies 'rule' and 'law', and is about being objectively lawful or 'nomic' as in economics.{{fact|date=October 2025}}
== Nomological networks == A nomological approach requires taking account of both subjective and objective aspects in a decision. Nomology provides the framework for building a nomological network of relationships between constructs in decision making.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Brugha |first1=Cathal MacSwiney |title=Foundation of Nomology |journal=European Journal of Operational Research |date=February 2015 |volume=240 |issue=3 |pages=734–747 |doi=10.1016/j.ejor.2014.07.042 }}</ref>
== See also == * Deductive-nomological model * Nomological determinism * Nomothetic
== References == {{Reflist}}
==Further reading== * {{cite journal |last1=Kober |first1=Avi |title=Nomology vs historicism: Formative factors in modern military thought |journal=Defense Analysis |date=December 1994 |volume=10 |issue=3 |pages=267–284 |doi=10.1080/07430179408405629 }} * {{cite journal |last1=Rauvola |first1=Rachel S. |last2=Briggs |first2=Erick P. |last3=Hinyard |first3=Leslie J. |title=Nomology, validity, and interprofessional research: The missing link(s) |journal=Journal of Interprofessional Care |date=3 July 2020 |volume=34 |issue=4 |pages=545–556 |doi=10.1080/13561820.2020.1712333 |pmid=32050821 }} * {{cite journal |last1=Tranter |first1=Kieran |title=Nomology, Ontology, and Phenomenology of Law and Technology |journal=Minnesota Journal of Law, Science & Technology |date=2007 |volume=8 |issue=2 |pages=449–474 |id={{CORE output|217199611}} |url=https://scholarship.law.umn.edu/mjlst/vol8/iss2/7/ }}
Category:Philosophy of science
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