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Rantings and Ravens • Arguing with himself? • How Soon Is Now? • Mothers and Gods • Humpty Dumpty Theology • Valid and True • Long-Winded Proofs • To Know All Isn’t To Forgive All… • Challenge Everything!

Rantings and Ravens

DEAR EDITOR

In his article on Hempel’s Raven Paradox in Issue 19, Fred Leavitt seems to mix up definitions, descriptions and hypotheses. His example “Water at sea-level boils at 100°C” is a definition, whereas “All ravens are black” is not, though it could be a hypothesis. If it is taken as one, then ‘black’ cannot be part of the definition of ‘raven’, otherwise you beg the question. All you can do is to assume the hypothesis to be true on the available evidence. If a green raven comes along, it’s up to you whether you distinguish it from black ones.

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