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Single Idea 16576

[filed under theme 14. Science / C. Induction / 2. Aims of Induction ]

Full Idea

Induction should be regarded as a principle of natural science. For otherwise you could not prove that every fire is hot, that all rhubarb is purgative of bile, that every magnet attracts iron.

Gist of Idea

Science is based on induction, for general truths about fire, rhubarb and magnets

Source

Jean Buridan (Questions on Aristotle's Physics [1346], I.15 f. 18vb), quoted by Robert Pasnau - Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 02.3

Book Ref

Pasnau,Robert: 'Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671' [OUP 2011], p.23

A Reaction

He is basing this on Aristotle, and refers to 'Physics' 190a33-b11.

The 14 ideas with the same theme [possible targets for inductive thinking]:

1683 We learn universals from many particulars [Aristotle]
16576 Science is based on induction, for general truths about fire, rhubarb and magnets [Buridan]
19387 Hypotheses come from induction, which is comparison of experiences [Leibniz]
2198 We assume similar secret powers behind similar experiences, such as the nourishment of bread [Hume]
19234 'Induction' doesn't capture Greek 'epagoge', which is singulars in a mass producing the general [Peirce]
17631 Induction is inferring premises from consequences [Russell]
2941 Induction accepts the simplest law that fits our experiences [Wittgenstein]
5190 The induction problem is to prove generalisations about the future based on the past [Ayer]
19462 Induction passes from particular facts to other particulars, or to general laws, non-deductively [Ayer]
21748 More careful inductions gradually lead to the hypothetico-deductive method [Quine]
3095 Induction is an attempt to increase the coherence of our explanations [Harman]
9661 Induction is just reasonable methods of inferring the unobserved from the observed [Lewis]
3709 Induction must go beyond the evidence, in order to explain why the evidence occurred [Bonjour]
6775 Induction is inference to the best explanation, where the explanation is a law [Bird]