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Single Idea 21748

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

Full Idea

Our inductions become increasingly explicit and deliberate, and in the fulness of time we even rise above induction, to the hypothetico-deductive method.

Gist of Idea

More careful inductions gradually lead to the hypothetico-deductive method

Source

Willard Quine (On the Nature of Moral Values [1978], p.57)

Book Ref

Quine,Willard: 'Theories and Things' [Harvard 1981], p.57


A Reaction

This seems to defer to Hempel's account of scientific theorising. I wander what exactly 'rising above' means?


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

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