The Problem of Induction

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PHLA10 12The Problem of Induction●Review: what is induction– A method of ‘amplifying’ or adding knowledge (or atleast adding to our stock of beliefs)– Unlike in a valid deductive argument, the conclusion ofan inductive argument is not guaranteed to be true,even if the premises are true● example: (1) Most dogs are pets (2) Fido is a dog (3)therefore, Fido is a pet– Recall what makes a good inductive argument● good sample size● good sample distribution (sample must berepresentative of total)● These requirements assume there are better orworse evidential relations
PHLA10 12The Problem of Induction●●●●●●Two (closely related) forms of induction(1) Generalization (GEN)– example: All observed mammals have hair; thereforeall mammals have hair.(2) Prediction (PRED)– example: All observed reptiles are cold blooded;therefore the next reptile to be observed will be coldblooded.Obviously (GEN) and (PRED) are not deductively validargument forms.But it seems intuitively obvious that the premises give usa good reason to believe the conclusionHume argues that this intuition is unsupportable andwrong
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The Problem of Induction

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