Single Idea 5394

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

Full Idea

We can never use experience to prove the inductive principle without begging the question.

Gist of Idea

We can't prove induction from experience without begging the question

Source

Bertrand Russell (Problems of Philosophy [1912], Ch. 6)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'The Problems of Philosophy' [OUP 1995], p.38


A Reaction

This highlights why induction is such a big problem for hard-line empiricists, who are reduced to saying that it is a 'dogma', or an unsupported 'natural belief'. And that seems right. All creatures which evolve in a stable universe will do induction.