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Single Idea 15888

[from 'Laws of Nature' by Rom Harré, in 14. Science / C. Induction / 5. Paradoxes of Induction / a. Grue problem ]

Full Idea

The grue problem illustrates the enormous importance that the concept of a natural-kind plays in real science.

Gist of Idea

The grue problem shows that natural kinds are central to science

Source

Rom Harré (Laws of Nature [1993], 5)

Book Reference

Harré,Rom: 'Laws of Nature' [Duckworth 1993], p.105


A Reaction

The point is that we took emeralds to be a natural kind, but 'grue' proposes that they aren't, since stability is the hallmark of a natural kind.

Related Idea

Idea 8153 By knowing one piece of clay or gold, you know all of clay or gold [Anon (Upan)]