Single Idea 4811

[catalogued under 14. Science / C. Induction / 4. Reason in Induction]

Full Idea

Unlike deductive arguments, induction is non-monotonic - that is, it can be invalidated by the addition of new premises.

Gist of Idea

Induction (unlike deduction) is non-monotonic - it can be invalidated by new premises

Source

Stathis Psillos (Causation and Explanation [2002], §9.2.1)

Book Reference

Psillos,Stathis: 'Causation and Explanation' [Acumen 2002], p.248


A Reaction

This is a fancy way of stating the obvious, which is that induction is not a type of deduction. Hume is sometimes accused of this false assumption. Presumably induction is rational, even if it is not actually logical.

Related Ideas

Idea 4810 Valid deduction is monotonic - that is, it remains valid if further premises are added [Psillos]

Idea 13525 Most deductive logic (unlike ordinary reasoning) is 'monotonic' - we don't retract after new givens [Wolf,RS]