Single Idea 4584

[catalogued under 14. Science / C. Induction / 1. Induction]

Full Idea

At its simplest, the problem of induction can be boiled down to the problem of justifying our belief in the uniformity of nature.

Gist of Idea

The problem of induction is how to justify our belief in the uniformity of nature

Source

J Baggini / PS Fosl (The Philosopher's Toolkit [2003], §1.03)

Book Reference

Baggini,J and Fosl,P.S.: 'The Philosopher's Toolkit' [Blackwells 2003], p.10


A Reaction

An easy solution to the problem of induction: we treat the uniformity of nature as axiomatic, and then induction is all reasoning which is based on that axiom. The axiom is a working hypothesis, which may begin to appear false. Anomalies are hard.