This book presents work at the forefront of scholarly debate about the relevance of substantial metaphysical theories to science.

• Responds in particular to recent publications by Brian Ellis on scientific essentialism, especially on the topics of laws, natural kinds and realism.
• Contains a new paper by Brian Ellis, commentary and criticism from philosophers on Ellis's work, and a reply by Ellis to his critics.

Alice Drewery is Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Reading, and the author of articles on philosophy of science, philosophy of language and metaphysics. She is a member of the committee of the British Society for the Philosophy of Science, and an associate editor of the journal Ratio.