The Theory of Anything Episode 128: Induction’s Immunizing Strategy
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Jan 6, 2026 Dive into the clash between inductivism and critical rationalism! The conversation unveils how inductive reasoning is often misconstrued and the thin line separating concepts from theories. Bruce challenges the infamous claim of induction's omnipotence by exploring linguistic gymnastics that protect it from critique. He questions the essence of statistical induction and tackles Eddington's critique of random samples in science. Get ready for a deep intellectual dive that sparks critical thought and questions the very foundations of scientific reasoning!
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Hard-To Theories Are Corroborated
- Kieren defines a "hard-to" theory as one whose concepts are constrained by past observations and calls that induction.
- Bruce shows this maps directly to Popperian corroboration, collapsing Kieren's induction into critical rationalism.
Accept Definitions But Insist On Consistency
- Accept interlocutors' definitions temporarily but hold them accountable to those definitions.
- Label unusual definitions (e.g., "Kieran's induction") to avoid equivocation and keep the debate clear.
Support ≠ Absolute Probability
- Kieran cites Wikipedia: good inductive arguments give premises that provide some degree of support for conclusions.
- Bruce concedes corroboration exists but warns numerical probability claims often hide assumptions.
