Single Idea 6952

[catalogued under 14. Science / C. Induction / 3. Limits of Induction]

Full Idea

It is sometimes said that inductive reasoning is 'defeasible', meaning that considerations that support a given conclusion can be defeated by additional information.

Gist of Idea

Induction is 'defeasible', since additional information can invalidate it

Source

Gilbert Harman (Rationality [1995], 1.4.5)

Book Reference

Harman,Gilbert: 'Reasoning Meaning and Mind' [OUP 1999], p.31


A Reaction

True. The point is that being defeasible does not prevent such thinking from being rational. The rational part of it is to acknowledge that your conclusion is defeasible.