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Single Idea 16799

[filed under theme 14. Science / A. Basis of Science / 2. Demonstration ]

Full Idea

Inductive inference is a matter of weighing evidence and judging probability, not of proof.

Gist of Idea

Inductive inference is not proof, but weighing evidence and probability

Source

Peter Lipton (Inference to the Best Explanation (2nd) [2004], 01 'Underd')

Book Ref

Lipton,Peter: 'Inference to the Best Explanation (2nd ed)' [Routledge 2004], p.5

A Reaction

This sounds like a plausible fallibilist response to the optimistic view of Aristotle.

The 27 ideas with the same theme [proving physical facts by observation and reason]:

16647 Demonstration starts from a definition of essence, so we can derive (or conjecture about) the properties [Aristotle]
24048 Demonstrations move from starting-points to deduced conclusions [Aristotle]
12309 There cannot be a science of accidentals, but only of general truths [Aristotle]
11386 Demonstrations about particulars must be about everything of that type [Aristotle]
24068 Demonstration is more than entailment, as the explanatory order must match the causal order [Aristotle, by Koslicki]
17310 Aristotle gets asymmetric consequence from demonstration, which reflects real causal priority [Aristotle, by Koslicki]
21359 Aristotle doesn't actually apply his theory of demonstration to his practical science [Leroi on Aristotle]
12365 We can know by demonstration, which is a scientific deduction leading to understanding [Aristotle]
1667 Premises must be true, primitive and immediate, and prior to and explanatory of conclusions [Aristotle]
12371 A demonstration is a deduction which proceeds from necessities [Aristotle]
10918 Demonstrative understanding rests on necessary features of the thing in itself [Aristotle]
12374 Demonstrations must be necessary, and that depends on the middle term [Aristotle]
1674 All demonstration is concerned with existence, axioms and properties [Aristotle]
12148 Demonstrations are syllogisms which give explanations [Aristotle]
1679 Universal demonstrations are about thought; particular demonstrations lead to perceptions [Aristotle]
1680 Demonstration is better with fewer presuppositions, and it is quicker if these are familiar [Aristotle]
12147 The principles of demonstrations are definitions [Aristotle]
12383 There must be definitions before demonstration is possible [Aristotle]
1691 Aim to get definitions of the primitive components, thus establishing the kind, and work towards the attributes [Aristotle]
20779 Demonstration derives what is less clear from what is clear [Stoic school, by Diog. Laertius]
16577 Induction is not demonstration, because not all of the instances can be observed [Buridan]
19243 If each inference slightly reduced our certainty, science would soon be in trouble [Peirce]
16799 Inductive inference is not proof, but weighing evidence and probability [Lipton]
16798 We infer from evidence by working out what would explain that evidence [Lipton]
22110 Demonstration provides depth of understanding and explanation (rather than foundations) [Kretzmann/Stump]
15111 In demonstration, the explanatory order must mirror the causal order of the phenomena [Koslicki]
15115 In a demonstration the middle term explains, by being part of the definition [Koslicki]