Single Idea 9496

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

Full Idea

The fact that some other diamonds are hard does not explain why this diamond is hard.

Gist of Idea

That other diamonds are hard does not explain why this one is

Source

Alexander Bird (Nature's Metaphysics [2007], 4.3.2)

Book Reference

Bird,Alexander: 'Nature's Metaphysics' [OUP 2007], p.86


A Reaction

A very nice aphorism! It pinpoints the whole error of trying to explain the behaviour of the world by citing laws. Why should this item obey that law? Bird prefers 'powers', and so do I.