Single Idea 18993

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

Full Idea

'All crows are black' cannot say quite the same as 'All non-black things are non-crows', for the two are confirmed by different evidence. Subject matter looks to be the distinguishing feature. One is about crows, the other not.

Gist of Idea

If sentences point to different evidence, they must have different subject-matter

Source

Stephen Yablo (Aboutness [2014], Intro)

Book Reference

Yablo,Stephen: 'Aboutness' [Princeton 2014], p.2


A Reaction

You might reply that they are confirmed by the same evidence (but only in its unobtainable totality). The point, I think, is that the sentences invite you to start your search in different places.