Single Idea 14914

[catalogued under 14. Science / C. Induction / 4. Reason in Induction]

Full Idea

The inductive defence of induction may be circular but not viciously so, because it is rule circular (defending the rule being used) but not premise circular (where the conclusion is in one of the premises).

Gist of Idea

Inductive defences of induction may be rule-circular, but not viciously premise-circular

Source

J Ladyman / D Ross (Every Thing Must Go [2007], 2.1.2)

Book Reference

Ladyman,J/Ross,D: 'Every Thing Must Go' [OUP 2007], p.75


A Reaction

[They cite Braithwaite 1953 and Carnap 1952 for this] This strikes me as clutching at straws, when the whole procedure of induction is inescapably precarious. It is simply all we have available.

Related Idea

Idea 16858 We can argue to support our beliefs, so induction will support induction, for believers in induction [Lipton]