Single Idea 19236

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

Full Idea

Induction can never afford the slightest reason to think that a law is without an exception.

Gist of Idea

Induction can never prove that laws have no exceptions

Source

Charles Sanders Peirce (Reasoning and the Logic of Things [1898], II)

Book Reference

Peirce,Charles Sanders: 'Reasoning and the Logic of Things', ed/tr. Ketner,K.L. [Harvard 1992], p.140


A Reaction

Part of the general Humean doubts about induction, but very precisely stated, and undeniable. You can then give up on universal laws, or look for deeper reasons to justify your conviction that there are no exceptions. E.g. observe mass, or Higgs Boson.