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Shortcomings Of Inductive Reasoning

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During the scientific process one of the methods of reasoning to reach a logical conclusion is inductive reasoning. Induction is defined as (Bortolotti 2008:170), “[A p]icture of scientific reasoning and practice according to which scientists arrive at explanatory theories by making observations and formulating generalizations on the basis of their specific observation.” It is often used in applications concerning forecasting, predicting and behaviour. Even though induction is widely used by scientists today, it still has its own shortcomings. This essay looks to explore inductive reasoning and the points of critique posed against it by Hume.
In the logical process of induction, multiple premises which are believed to be true via the sensory …show more content…

It is then compared to object 2 which has features F1, F2 and F3. By analogy, we can assumed object 2 possess feature F4 as well because of the number of similarities shared between the 2 objects.

In statistical analogy, the last type of induction, a sample group with a certain feature F1 is test for another feature F2. The percentages based on the sample group of having feature F2 is then attributed to the entire group with feature F1.
David Hume, a Scottish philosopher had argued against and critiqued the inductive method of reasoning which formed a sense of skepticism to a broad audience in the method. Hume (2009:220) speaks of the problem of the uniformity of nature, where we expect nature to be uniform, assume consistency in natural events as a norm. It is an irrational belief because it is not based on logical reasoning and it cannot be establish as a fact unless we experience the event. “We have no logical reason to believe that the future will continue to resemble the past.”(CARBAJAL …show more content…

This leads us to ignore other possibilities for the occurrence. Reason rather than what is experienced is relied on which also has its limitations attributed to the person reasoning. Given there is no necessary connection between distinct objects, reason cannot solely link the two objects.
Reliance upon past experience in induction is the final critique from Hume (2009:220). Inductive reasoning cannot based solely on past experience. Pass experiences only give knowledge during that period of time while observing the event. Applying past experiences to future events will not produce absolute fact but will be at most probable.
Induction is a tool to generate knowledge, giving scientists direction into what needs to be investigated. Once a hypothesis is created via induction, it is up to the science to disprove the hypothesis best to their ability by considering the other likely causes. Hume’s arguments leaves one’s mind open to the possibilities and not take induction as the absolute truth in both science and philosophy. In the absence of certain knowledge of the future, past experiences and assumptions maybe helpful. (Reinchenbach

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