The principle we are examining may be called the principle…
““The principle we are examining may be called the principle of induction, and its two parts may be stated as follows: (a) When a thing of a certain sort A has been found to be associated with a thing of a certain other sort B, and has never been found dissociated from a thing of the sort B, the greater the number of cases in which A and B have been associated, the greater is the probability that they will be associated in a fresh case in which one of them is known to be present; (b) Under the same circumstances, a sufficient number of cases of association will make the probability of a fresh association nearly a certainty, and will make it approach certainty without limit.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Induction suggests that repeated observed associations increase confidence that the same link will appear in new cases, eventually approaching certainty with enough evidence.
In simple terms: Repeated links boost confidence in future links.
Key Takeaway
Gather many examples to strengthen predictions.
Themes
science
logic
probability
epistemology
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- research
- medical diagnosis
- machine learning
- risk assessment
Key Concepts
inductive reasoning
confidence
certainty
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence would change your confidence in a pattern?
- How do you guard against false correlations?
A Different Perspective
Induction can be misleading when hidden variables affect outcomes.