Single Idea 6749

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 4. Regularities / a. Regularity theory]

Full Idea

We cannot infer a regularity from its instances unless there is something stronger than the regularity itself binding the instances together.

Gist of Idea

We can only infer a true regularity if something binds the instances together

Source

Alexander Bird (Philosophy of Science [1998], Ch.1)

Book Reference

Bird,Alexander: 'Philosophy of Science' [UCL Press 2000], p.49


A Reaction

Spells out the implication of the example in Idea 6748. The reply to this criticism would be that no account can possibly be given of the 'something stronger' than further regularities, at a lower level (e.g. in the physics).

Related Idea

Idea 6748 Similar appearance of siblings is a regularity, but shared parents is what links them [Bird]