If I want to test the hypothesis 'All crows are black' I can go out and look for crows and check what colour they are. The more crows I see that are black, the more likely the hypothesis is to be true. Each black crow observed is a 'confirming instance' of the hypothesis.
Now, a LOGICALLY EQUIVALENT statement to 'All crows are black' is 'Anything that is not black is not a crow'. So, I can check the equivalent statement instead. That is, everything I observe that is not black AND is not a crow is, logically, a confirming instance of the original hypothesis that 'All crows are black'.
So, I have a green teapot. By observing that, am I helping to confirm the hypothesis that 'All crows are black'? Logic says I am . . .
2006-09-11
09:25:59
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10 answers
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asked by
Barks-at-Parrots
4