Single Idea 9063

[catalogued under 7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 10. Vagueness / g. Degrees of vagueness]

Full Idea

What could determine which is the correct function, settling that my coat is red to degree 0.322 rather than 0.321?

Gist of Idea

How do we decide if my coat is red to degree 0.322 or 0.321?

Source

R Keefe / P Smith (Intro: Theories of Vagueness [1997], §4)

Book Reference

'Vagueness: a Reader', ed/tr. Keefe,R /Smith,P [MIT 1999], p.47


A Reaction

It is not just the uncertainty of placing the coat on the scale. The two ends of the scale have all the indeterminacy of being red rather than orange (or, indeed, pink). You are struggling to find a spot on the ruler, when the ruler is placed vaguely.