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Full Idea
We might think of enumerative induction as inference to the best explanation, taking the generalization to explain its instances.
Clarification
'Enumerative' induction counts up instances of some observation
Gist of Idea
Enumerative induction is inference to the best explanation
Source
Gilbert Harman (Rationality [1995], 1.5.2)
Book Ref
Harman,Gilbert: 'Reasoning Meaning and Mind' [OUP 1999], p.34
A Reaction
This is a helpful connection. The best explanation of these swans being white is that all swans are white; it ceased to be the best explanation when black swans turned up. In the ultimate case, a law of nature is the explanation.
| 6950 | You can be rational with undetected or minor inconsistencies [Harman] |
| 6951 | Ordinary rationality is conservative, starting from where your beliefs currently are [Harman] |
| 6952 | Induction is 'defeasible', since additional information can invalidate it [Harman] |
| 6953 | All reasoning is inductive, and deduction only concerns implication [Harman] |
| 6954 | A coherent conceptual scheme contains best explanations of most of your beliefs [Harman] |
| 6955 | Enumerative induction is inference to the best explanation [Harman] |