Single Idea 15255

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

Full Idea

'Going together' is irrelevant as an explanation, and that is precisely why it is useless as a reason for having confidence in inductive inferences.

Gist of Idea

Conjunctions explain nothing, and so do not give a reason for confidence in inductions

Source

Harré,R./Madden,E.H. (Causal Powers [1975], 4.I)

Book Reference

Harré,R/Madden,E.H.: 'Causal Powers: A Theory of Natural Necessity' [Blackwell 1975], p.71


A Reaction

I suspect that the deep underlying question is whether the actual world has modal features - that is, are dispositions, rather than mere categorical properties, a feature of the actual. Is this room full of possibilities? Yes, say I.