The Problem of Induction

PHLA10 12The Problem of Induction●Hume’s attitude towards induction– Hume thought we should reason inductively even thoughwe have no rational reason to do so– He thought we (and many other animals) are naturallystructured to believe in and use induction● Example: Pavlov’s dogs– Hume sometimes called this ‘habit’– He also noticed instincts – which are ‘built in’ by natureand carry information about how organisms ‘expect’ theworld to work– Hume wondered how instincts arose and camesomewhat close to a concept of evolution– But rationality cannot support the beliefs derived byinstinct or by the habit of inductive inference