more from Nelson Goodman

Single Idea 17655

[catalogued under 14. Science / C. Induction / 5. Paradoxes of Induction / a. Grue problem]

Full Idea

Grue cannot be a relevant kind for induction in the same world as green, for that would preclude some of the decisions, right or wrong, that constitute inductive inference.

Gist of Idea

Grue and green won't be in the same world, as that would block induction entirely

Source

Nelson Goodman (Ways of Worldmaking [1978], 1.4b)

Book Reference

Goodman,Nelson: 'Ways of Worldmaking' [Hackett 1984], p.11


A Reaction

This may make 'grue' less mad than I thought it was. I always assume we are slicing the world as 'green, blue and grue'. I still say 'green' is a basic predicate of experience, but 'grue' is amenable to analysis.