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Single Idea 5392

[from 'Problems of Philosophy' by Bertrand Russell, in 14. Science / C. Induction / 3. Limits of Induction ]

Full Idea

We have experience of past futures, but not of future futures, and the question is: Will future futures resemble past futures? This question is not to be answered by an argument which starts from past futures alone.

Gist of Idea

It doesn't follow that because the future has always resembled the past, that it always will

Source

Bertrand Russell (Problems of Philosophy [1912], Ch. 6)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'The Problems of Philosophy' [OUP 1995], p.36


A Reaction

This nicely makes the problem of induction unavoidable, for anyone who preferred not to face the problem. The simple solution is to recognise that the future may NOT resemble the past, for all we know. Actually I think it will, but what was the past like?