Induction Essay

725 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Essay on evolution theory

Humanity has obtained a large majority of its knowledge through the process of induction. Almost everything we know about ourselves, others, and the rest of the natural world can be accredited to a method of induction. The scientific method is a sophisticated way of induction that increases the probability of the inducted results validity. Although induction fails to be axiomatic, it allows us to form highly probable beliefs and to survive in the natural world. Firstly, science and the problem of induction will be discussed. Everything we know about the surrounding natural world is obtained through the process of induction. This activity designed to discover information about the natural world in which we live and to discover the ways in which this information can be organized into meaningful patterns has been titled science. Science is systematic entity that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the natural world. The process in which information is obtained is called the scientific method. The scientific method is the foundation of all science. If an inquiry is to follow the scientific method it must be based on empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning. It uses the results obtained through observations and/or experiments is used to make generalizations about other instances of what is being tested. Consider the theories of evolution and natural selection: all life on Earth has a common ancestor but in order to produce the large amount of organism fluctuations, certain organisms had to evolve into new species. These theories are established by generalization of instances. Scientific theories are merely just hypotheses. They are created so ... ... middle of paper ... ...g world useless. Humanity has little choice on whether it can rely on induction because induction is the only way to obtain new knowledge and to survive in physical world. Induction allows us to create theories about things that would be impossible without it. Although we cannot concretely know things, our beliefs tend to be extremely reliable. The scientific method allows us to believe with an extremely high probability. We can believe induction will not fail. We cannot know if it will be demonstrative. We cannot know anything about the physical natural world unless it is induced. We are a part of the physical natural world. This means we must induce everything about ourselves. Except for our own existence. Determining whether or not we have the ability to deduce or induce our existence is vital in understanding the degree of certainty induction plays on our

Show More
Related

  • Psuedopsychology vs the Scientific Method

    2454 Words  | 5 Pages

    Humans have inhabited the Earth for thousands of years and it is perceived by many that we are among the most intellectual species on this planet. Although having lived on this planet for so long, being able to distinguish fact from fiction has escaped the minds of many. People of today’s society are easily influenced by what is told to them instead of what can be proven. Believing in something that has no scientific evidence is not only absurd but can be classified simply as ignorance. Many of the erratic ideas that are believed by many today have originated in a time where superstition was more popular than science. These beliefs appear to be proven by science, but in reality are not valid and frequently confused with true psychology, this is called pseudoscience or psuedopyschology. These beliefs remain intact for many years primarily because those who choose to believe these psuedopyschologies are the ones who try to prove that they are in fact valid, and tend to ignore the evidence that proves them wrong.

    Read More

  • Inductive Inference Examples

    313 Words  | 1 Pages

    Statistical Induction- is based on statistical information, it predicts something will happen with numerical probability.

    Read More

  • Innateness In David Hume's An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding

    997 Words  | 2 Pages

    In David Hume’s “An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding”, he proposes two types of human enquiry: relations of ideas and matters of fact. The two common examples that represent the two enquiries are mathematics and science. Hume argues that people who rely on induction - cause and effect to perceive the world have no understanding of it since there does not exist any justification for them to believe in induction at the first place.

    Read More

  • David Hume Problem Of Induction

    1394 Words  | 3 Pages

    As humans, a crucial way we attempt to understand how the world around us works is by using previous experiences or evidence from our senses to make predictions about the future. However, how do we know that these predictions are accurate? How are we supposed to know whether future observations and experiences will resemble those of the past? In this essay, I plan to explain what induction is and Hume’s “Problem of Induction”: how he thinks that our beliefs about the future that are based on the past are unjustified. After that, I will present two arguments that he offers against his Problem of Induction, and show how they fail in counterarguing his claim.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Free Will In Kirk Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five

    921 Words  | 2 Pages

    "At some point, things that are predetermined are admitted into consciousness” (Haynes). This studies reveals that fact that although we may be unaware the notion of free will is prevalent throughout everyday life in the actions we believe we choose to do.

    Read More

  • Karl Popper's Falsifiability

    978 Words  | 2 Pages

    The overarching or oversimplification of these theories which seem to many to be a strength, for Popper was actually a weakness. With theories such as these anything could be interpreted into them (or the theory could be interpreted into the evidece). Thus, Popper came to the conclusion that unless a theory can be proven wrong, it cannot be labeled as scientific. He also claimed that risky predictions should be made and be testable. Also, confirming evidence should not count unless it is an attempt to falsify the theory. Now, Popper's concern the problem of the "logic of science" or the "logical problem of induction." Popper sees induction as having the same basic problem as the overgeneralization principle of the psychological, historic theories, ect. He regards no actual rule of induction ...

    Read More

  • Using Inductive and Deductive Reasoning through Two Distinct Theories of Logic: Bayesian Confirmation Theory and Syllogism

    802 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...undervalued the use of inductive reasoning, more modern logicians have embraced the value of this type of thinking and acknowledge that both inductive and deductive reasoning can be used to arrive at more thorough and accurate truths about our world and the situations that occur within it.

    Read More

  • Analysis of Hume’s Critique of Causation

    1829 Words  | 4 Pages

    The following is a summary of the aspects of the problem of induction as presented in the Enquiry which concern my discussion.

    Read More

  • The Abandoning of Induction in Favor of Deduction and Falsification

    1039 Words  | 3 Pages

    A significant function of science, and of everyday thinking, is to make sense of available information. Induction is the process of going from the specific to the general thereby reaching a conclusion about the complex nature of the universe from a , thus far, limited set of observations. A person uses a collection of evidence, gained through experience, and uses it to form a conclusion which is conceived to be conform with the given facts. This means the observations may be true, but because of the given limitation of observation the conclusion could still be proven false. David Hume has identified this problem of induction and deems it therefore as logically unjustifiable. It is, however, the primary form of reasoning in science and is used to attain inferences which the scientific community believes to be the most likely form of the observed phenomena in question within a current paradigm. Induction has established itself as an effective method in the natural sciences and is imperative for scientific advancement.

    Read More

  • David Hume Essay

    1581 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...h not justifiable enough to be relied. Even though the inductive reasoning has been a success in the determination of events and instances that have occurred in the past, philosophers still argue about its appropriateness, in the modern society (Earman, 2006, p.36). The problem of induction has been analyzed through various philosophical studies with the aim of finding a justifiable answer to the dilemma. The uncertainty of inductive reason forms the basis of myriad questions that engulf the justification of the approach. According to some philosophers, it is possible that some unknown phenomenon might occur, leading to justification with a known phenomenon. As aforementioned, falsification and irrationalism are some of the solutions to the induction problem. It is, therefore, imperative for individuals to falsify the beliefs through hypothesis and empirical testing.

    Read More

  • Reasoning: The Action Of Ineptive And Inductive Reasoning

    988 Words  | 2 Pages

    Sir Francis Bacon a 17th century was an English philosopher, also known as a scientist back in the day that he studied. He tried to challenge an ancient authority, Aristotle. With a theory, such as deductive reasoning already being around for over 2,000 years. Inductive thinking starts with a theory, then goes to a hypothesis, goes to an observation, and ends with a confirmation. Inductive thoughts work the other way around; it is going from something specific to a much bigger thought. In this reasoning, you being with something specific and being to then notice patterns and for a hypothesis. Once you have done this you can later draw a conclusion. Inductive reasoning starts with facts and details and moves to a general conclusion. The conclusion is probabilistic, strong or weak, and can be proved false. Inductive reasoning, also known as top down approach is where the premises support the conclusion. The conclusion is the hypothesis. Inductive reasoning is also known as “cause and effect” reasoning because it comes up with a conclusion first. An example for inductive reasoning is “my older sister plays basketball, my friend’s older sister plays basketball, my neighbor’s older sister plays basketball, therefore all older sisters play basketball. You have most likely heard people use this reasoning before, which can’t be true. Just because you are an older sister does not

    Read More

  • The Difference Between Scientific Knowledge and Other Types of Knowledge

    1407 Words  | 3 Pages

    After considering all the described points in this paper, it can be rightly said that there is a considerable difference between science and other types of knowledge.

    Read More

  • The Theory Of Induction And Induction

    1105 Words  | 3 Pages

    Induction is an everyday part of our life’s I make decisions based on this method of inference in order to function within society. It is the process of predicting the outcome of future events based on the outcome of similar events that have occurred in the past. Our calender, the seasons and the clocks we use to manage our time are based on the rotation of the earth in relation to its orbit around the sun. Every day I awake with the 'knowledge ' that the sun will rise and indicate the beginning of my day. I make this assertion due to the sun having risen every day since my birth and therefore through induction I infer it will rise tomorrow, the day after and so on. I work at a tra...

    Read More

  • Scientific Theory Essay

    1950 Words  | 4 Pages

    A scientific theory is an explanation that is well- substantiated explanation in regards to some aspect of the natural world that is attained through scientific method and is tested numerous times and usually confirmed through vigorous observation and experimentation. The term theory can be seen as a collection of laws which allow you to show some kind of phenomenon. The strength of a scientific theory associated with the diversity of phenomena can explain its elegance and simplicity. However when new evidence is gathered a scientific theory can be changed or even rejected if it does not fit the new findings, in such cases a more accurate theory is formed. Scientific theories are used to gain further

    Read More

  • Science History

    2247 Words  | 5 Pages

    Science is the history of using systematic methods of study to make observations and collect facts. It covers fields of knowledge that deal with a variety subjects. The word science comes from a Latin word which means “knowledge”. Some scientists search for clues pertaining to the origin of the universe; others examine the structure of molecules in the cells of living plants and animals. Scientists investigate why we act the way we do, or try to solve complicated mathematical problems to explore the working of the world. Theories developed by these scientists cannot be accepted as a part of scientific knowledge until it has been verified by the studies of other researchers. It has to repeatedly tested and found to be true.(pg. 366-Ency brit)

    Read More

More about Induction Essay

Open Document