Lecture Notes: Hume's Skeptical Argument Concerning Induction

Introduction

• Speaker: Daniel Greco, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Yale University.
• Previous discussion: David Hume's distinction between relations of ideas and matters of fact.
• Current discussion: Application of Hume's distinction to a skeptical argument concerning induction.

Knowing Matters of Fact

• Observation as a way to know about matters of fact (e.g., observing the sun).
• Challenge: Knowing unobserved matters of fact (e.g., future events, unseen animals).
• General strategy: Projection of observed regularities onto unobserved cases (Induction).
  • Example: All observed fires are hot; assume unobserved fires are hot.

Induction

• Definition: Inferring unobserved properties based on observed regularities.
• Example of flawed induction: Hair color prediction (black hair now implies black hair forever).
• Correct use of induction:
  • Relies on general features (e.g., fires are hot, gravity operates).
  • Assumes the uniformity of nature: Future will resemble the past in general respects.

Laws of Nature

• Argument: Laws of nature (e.g., gravity) derived from inductive reasoning.
  • Assumes uniformity of nature to predict future events.
• Question: Why believe future will resemble past?
  • Not a relation of ideas; conceivable future could differ drastically (e.g., sun doesn't rise).

Inductive Argument

• Circular nature: Using past to predict future assumes future resembles past.
• Challenge: Why is induction better than other methods (e.g., magic 8-ball, astrology)?
  • Circular argument exists for both induction and other methods.

Hume's Skeptical Solution

• No rational reason to prefer induction over other methods (e.g., crystal ball gazing).
• Habitual reasoning: Induction is a strong instinctive habit.
  • Like birds flying south, humans naturally reason inductively.
  • Justifying induction does not arise in practice due to ingrained habit.

Conclusion

• Difficulty in disproving Hume's argument.
• Continued philosophical exploration on the topic necessary.
• Invitation for further study in subsequent discussions or videos.