Single Idea 12293

[catalogued under 14. Science / C. Induction / 3. Limits of Induction]

Full Idea

When it is necessary to establish the universal, people use the expression 'So in all cases of this kind'; but it is one of the most difficult tasks to define which of the terms proposed are 'of this kind' and which are not.

Gist of Idea

We say 'so in cases of this kind', but how do you decide what is 'of this kind'?

Source

Aristotle (Topics [c.331 BCE], 157a25)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Posterior Analytics and Topica', ed/tr. Tredennick,H/Forster,ES [Harvard 1960], p.687


A Reaction

It is particularly hard if induction is expressed as the search for universals, since the kind presumably is the universal, so the universal must be known before the induction can apply, which really is the most frightful nuisance for truth-seekers.