more on this theme     |     more from this thinker

Single Idea 1886

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

Full Idea

Induction cannot establish the universal by means of the particular, since limited particulars may omit crucial examples which disprove the universal, and infinite particulars are impossible to know.

Gist of Idea

If you don't view every particular, you may miss the one which disproves your universal induction

Source

Sextus Empiricus (Outlines of Pyrrhonism [c.180], II.204)

Book Ref

Sextus Empiricus: 'Outlines of Pyrrhonism', ed/tr. Bury,R.G. [Prometheus 1990], p.164

The 37 ideas from 'Outlines of Pyrrhonism'

1878 Water that seems lukewarm can seem very hot on inflamed skin [Sext.Empiricus]
1879 Sickness is perfectly natural to the sick, so their natural perceptions should carry some weight [Sext.Empiricus]
1880 Some actions seem shameful when sober but not when drunk [Sext.Empiricus]
1881 The same oar seems bent in water and straight when out of it [Sext.Empiricus]
1870 The basis of scepticism is the claim that every proposition has an equal opposing proposition [Sext.Empiricus]
1882 The necks of doves appear different in colour depending on the angle of viewing [Sext.Empiricus]
1871 Whether honey is essentially sweet may be doubted, as it is a matter of judgement rather than appearance [Sext.Empiricus]
1872 The same tower appears round from a distance, but square close at hand [Sext.Empiricus]
1873 If we press the side of an eyeball, objects appear a different shape [Sext.Empiricus]
1874 How can we judge between our impressions and those of other animals, when we ourselves are involved? [Sext.Empiricus]
1876 If we enjoy different things, presumably we receive different impressions [Sext.Empiricus]
1877 If we had no hearing or sight, we would assume no sound or sight exists, so there may be unsensed qualities [Sext.Empiricus]
1884 If we utter three steps of a logical argument, they never exist together [Sext.Empiricus]
12196 A valid hypothetical syllogism is 'that which does not begin with a truth and end with a falsehood' [Sext.Empiricus]
1885 Proof moves from agreed premises to a non-evident inference [Sext.Empiricus]
1886 If you don't view every particular, you may miss the one which disproves your universal induction [Sext.Empiricus]
1887 You cannot divide anything into many parts, because after the first division you are no longer dividing the original [Sext.Empiricus]
1889 If an argument has an absurd conclusion, we should not assent to the absurdity, but avoid the absurd argument [Sext.Empiricus]
1890 We distinguish ambiguities by seeing what is useful [Sext.Empiricus]
1883 How can the intellect know if sensation is reliable if it doesn't directly see external objects? [Sext.Empiricus]
1902 Since Socrates either died when he was alive (a contradiction) or died when he was dead (meaningless), he didn't die [Sext.Empiricus]
1894 Some say that causes are physical, some say not [Sext.Empiricus]
1903 If motion and rest are abolished, so is time [Sext.Empiricus]
1904 Time must be unlimited, but past and present can't be non-existent, and can't be now, so time does not exist [Sext.Empiricus]
1905 How can time be divisible if we can't compare one length of time with another? [Sext.Empiricus]
1895 Causes are either equal to the effect, or they link equally with other causes, or they contribute slightly [Sext.Empiricus]
1896 If there were no causes then everything would have been randomly produced by everything [Sext.Empiricus]
1910 With us it is shameful for men to wear earrings, but among Syrians it is considered noble [Sext.Empiricus]
1897 Knowing an effect results from a cause means knowing that the cause belongs with the effect, which is circular [Sext.Empiricus]
1911 Even if all known nations agree on a practice, there may be unknown nations which disagree [Sext.Empiricus]
1898 Cause can't exist before effect, or exist at the same time, so it doesn't exist [Sext.Empiricus]
1891 How can we agree on the concept of God, unless we agree on his substance or form or place? [Sext.Empiricus]
1892 The existence of God can't be self-evident or everyone would have agreed on it, so it needs demonstration [Sext.Empiricus]
1899 Does the original self-mover push itself from behind, or pull itself from in front? [Sext.Empiricus]
1900 If time and place are infinitely divided, it becomes impossible for movement ever to begin [Sext.Empiricus]
1901 If all atoms, times and places are the same, everything should move with equal velocity [Sext.Empiricus]
1893 If God foresaw evil he would presumably prevent it, and if he only foresees some things, why those things? [Sext.Empiricus]