Full Idea
The whole idea of a formal analysis of the concept of lawlikeness has come to seem hopeless; every syntactical criterion proposed has a counter-example.
Gist of Idea
Being lawlike seems to resist formal analysis, because there are always counter-examples
Source
Harré,R./Madden,E.H. (Causal Powers [1975], 2.II)
Book Reference
Harré,R/Madden,E.H.: 'Causal Powers: A Theory of Natural Necessity' [Blackwell 1975], p.32
A Reaction
They seem unaware of Lewis's work in this area, which may be the most sophisticated attempt at a (Humean) attempt at formal analysis. Personally I see nothing in Lewis that would make them change their minds.