Single Idea 15238

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 7. Strictness of Laws]

Full Idea

The whole idea of a formal analysis of the concept of lawlikeness has come to seem hopeless; every syntactical criterion proposed has a counter-example.

Gist of Idea

Being lawlike seems to resist formal analysis, because there are always counter-examples

Source

Harré,R./Madden,E.H. (Causal Powers [1975], 2.II)

Book Reference

Harré,R/Madden,E.H.: 'Causal Powers: A Theory of Natural Necessity' [Blackwell 1975], p.32


A Reaction

They seem unaware of Lewis's work in this area, which may be the most sophisticated attempt at a (Humean) attempt at formal analysis. Personally I see nothing in Lewis that would make them change their minds.