[Lecture Two] Induction in Physics and Philosophy
by Dr. Leonard Peikoff
Total Time: 1 hour, 38 minutes
Course summary: 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. Read more »
In this lecture: 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.
Study Guide
This material is designed to help you digest the lecture content. You can also download below a PDF study guide for the entire course.
| What is necessary to validate a first-level generalization? |
| What is the importance of causality in this process? |
| Where do our original inductive generalizations come from? |
| What is the “impersonal metaphysics” and what role did it play? |
| What is the path from a causal connection to a generalization? |
| How does omitting the measurements of a causal connection allow the jump to a generalization? |
| How does the application of measurement omission apply to induction? |
| Using a unique example, describe the process of moving from a perceptual grasp of causality to a conceptual grasp of a generalization. |
| Why does all valid reasoning involve a conclusion that necessarily follows from the premises? |
Q&A Guide
Below is a list of questions from the audience taken from this lecture, along with (approximate) time stamps.
| 1:07:18 | As I understand it, Einstein was just looking for numerical patterns… |
| 1:11:23 | How does the observation of “impersonal causation” contribute to this process? |
| 1:14:32 | Could you comment on the book status of this material? |
| 1:16:33 | Is there a connection between the way a deductive statement… |
| 1:19:48 | I’m unclear on the role of measurement omission in going from the perception of an instance of causality to the generalization of it. Is the measurement omission involved in going to the first level generalization other than that already involved in forming the concepts? |
| 1:20:55 | Where do Mill’s methods come into the picture? |
| 1:21:51 | Can the arbitrary be used to attack this method? |
| 1:24:00 | I believe you said that the conclusion of the deduction is nothing logically new… |
| 1:25:01 | Regarding certainty and Franklin’s experiment. |
| 1:28:26 | Could you answer the question you posed yesterday about evil people making illogical fallacies and why it’s rationalism? |