Single Idea 18690

[catalogued under 14. Science / C. Induction / 1. Induction]

Full Idea

Most theories of induction claim that it should depend primarily on the similarity of the categories involved, but then the type of property should not matter, yet research shows that it does.

Gist of Idea

Induction is said to just compare properties of categories, but the type of property also matters

Source

Gregory L. Murphy (The Big Book of Concepts [2004], Ch. 6)

Book Reference

Murphy,Gregory L.: 'The Big Book of Concepts' [MIT 2004], p.181


A Reaction

I take this to be good empirical support for Gilbert Harman's view that induction is really inference to the best explanation. The thought (which strikes me as obviously correct) is that we bring nested domains of knowledge to bear in induction.