Single Idea 15889

[catalogued under 14. Science / C. Induction / 5. Paradoxes of Induction / b. Raven paradox]

Full Idea

It is because ravens are birds that it makes sense to contemplate the possibility of a lawful relation between their species and their colour.

Gist of Idea

It is because ravens are birds that their species and their colour might be connected

Source

Rom Harré (Laws of Nature [1993], 5)

Book Reference

Harré,Rom: 'Laws of Nature' [Duckworth 1993], p.110


A Reaction

Compare the 'laws' concerning leaf colour in autumn, and the 'laws' concerning packaging colour in supermarkets. Harré's underlying point is that raven colour concerns mechanism.

Related Idea

Idea 15890 Non-black non-ravens just aren't part of the presuppositions of 'all ravens are black' [Harré]