Induction in Physics and Philosophy
by Dr. Leonard Peikoff
- 7 lectures, 13 hours
- Recorded in 2002
This course features Dr. Peikoff’s presentation of his solution to the problem of induction. He discusses the axioms of induction and the role of measurement omission and relates them to the process of forming generalizations. By comparing these features to the process of concept formation, Peikoff indicates the parallels in logic that give rise to new insights about the relationship between induction and deduction. Special attention is given to the similarities between physics and philosophy.
Download the entire course (546 MB) to listen in the audio player of your choice—or listen online starting with Lecture One below. If listening to the course from this website, be sure to make a note of the current lecture and timestamp before leaving so that you can easily resume where you left off.
Study Guide
This course includes a study guide, featuring questions and other material designed to help you digest the course content. This material accompanies the individual lectures and is also available below as a PDF.
Lecture Guide
Summaries of the lecture content are provided below for your reference and convenience.
| Lecture 1 | This lecture introduces the role of generalization in human cognition. Dr. Peikoff provides the axioms of induction and indicates how they relate to measurement omission. |
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| Lecture 2 | This lecture continues the discussion of the axioms of induction and the role of first-level generalization. Peikoff focuses especially on the vital role that causal inductions play in first-level inductions. |
| Lecture 3 | This lecture continues the analysis of first-level and higher level generalizations. Dr. Peikoff provides examples of how the method of difference and agreement function. He discusses the role of cognitive “green lights” to induction. Peikoff introduces the role of quantitative relationships in induction through the history of physics. |
| Lecture 4 | This lecture continues the discussion of the history of physics and its importance to understanding induction. Dr. Peikoff examines the process whereby generalizations can be proved and how to develop more advanced theories from it. |
| Lecture 5 | This lecture continues the discussion of the history of physics and its importance to understanding induction. Dr. Peikoff continues his discussion of mathematics in physics. |
| Lecture 6 | This lecture examines the similarities and differences between physics and philosophy with regard to induction. The lecture focuses especially on the formal differences between the two fields and why that matters for induction. |
| Lecture 7 | This lecture concludes the discussion of induction by showing how the principles of induction apply to all fields of human knowledge. It indicates the crucial role that induction plays in validating knowledge in any field. |