Single Idea 7446

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

Full Idea

Hume's sceptical problem of induction could not have arisen much before 1660, for there was no concept of inductive evidence in terms of which to raise it.

Gist of Idea

The idea of inductive evidence, around 1660, made Hume's problem possible

Source

report of David Hume (Treatise of Human Nature [1739]) by Ian Hacking - The Emergence of Probability Cont 19

Book Reference

Hacking,Ian: 'The Emergence of Probability' [CUP 1975], p.-1


A Reaction

Hacking is the expert, but Ideas 1683 and 1886 suggest there was some thinking on the problem in the ancient world. The worry about whether the future would be like the past must occasionally have bothered someone.

Related Ideas

Idea 1683 We learn universals from many particulars [Aristotle]

Idea 1886 If you don't view every particular, you may miss the one which disproves your universal induction [Sext.Empiricus]