Reevaluating Inductive Reasoning: A Contemporary Approach Based on William Whewell's Induction
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22370/rhv2024iss27pp97-118Keywords:
induction, inductive reasoning, scientific practice, models, Whewell's inductionAbstract
Traditional attempts to understanding inductive reasoning in science have typically involved analyzing language, focusing on statements or propositions. However, recent arguments suggest that this approach misconceives induction, prompting the need for a new perspective. This study offers a fresh view on induction by integrating William Whewell's theory of induction, which distinguishes two forms of reasoning: interpretation and representation. This perspective suggests that induction can be seen as a reasoning process based on semantic and pragmatic models rather than statements or propositions.
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