1. My theory is that all ravens are black.
2. So, I also suppose that all things that are not black are not ravens.
3. If the next raven I see is black, that will support my theory that all ravens are black.
4. And so, if the next non-black thing I see is not a raven, that too will confirm my theory.
5. I have just seen a green t-shirt.
6. So, the green t-shirt supports my theory that all ravens are black.
2006-07-21 22:31:27 · 9 answers · asked by brucebirdfield 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
I am aware that 1 cannot be proved. I'm not looking to prove it, I'm only looking for evidence that supports it.
In 4, you can replace 'confirms' with 'supports' if you like.
2006-07-22 11:58:49 · update #1
Nothing is wrong in a finite universe.
If this is the case -- then if you mange to observe all non-black things and confirm that they are non-ravens -- you will prove that all ravens are black.
The problem arises in an infinite universe.
Number of ravens is finite, so if you will keep on observing ravens eventually you will prove your theory.
However the number of non-black things is INFINITE so observing them gets you nowhere near the conclusive proof.
P.S.
For a more interesting and complex problem with induction see
the work of Goodman on "Grue":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grue_%28color%29
2006-07-24 14:43:00 · answer #1 · answered by hq3 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
By using the assumption that all non black things are relavent to your theory. They have nothing to do at all with ravens. So therefore the green t-shirt would not support your theory that all ravens are black.
Unless you want to take into account the fact of it being a theory and you are just using assumptions instead of actual facts.
2006-07-22 05:50:46 · answer #2 · answered by ancient_wolf_13 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just about everything! :-)
- It is impossible to prove statement 1 logically.
- Statement two in a non-sequitar (it does not follow from statement 1) and also cannot be proven logically.
- Statement three is true but irrelevant because it is impossible to prove a statement like #1.
- Statement 4 is not accurate enough. It proves nothing about statement 1 only statement 2.
- Statement 5 does not support statement #1, only statement #2, which is unrelated.
- Therefore, conclusion in #6 is not logically supported.
Xan Shui,
Philosophic Philanthropist, Honest Man
2006-07-22 10:08:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Humans always pride themselves to be a higher species because of their ability to think and make decisions. In my opinion, the ability to think is starting to get in the way of our lives. Because people think, and everyone think differently, quarrels and fights are started. Because people think, their school essays get discredited; students are not supposed to think, they are supposed to 'think' like people of the past who had written some books or some form of evidence and include those in the essays. Because people think, those who don't think have to conform to the ideas of the former. Because people think, they cannot come to a decision about some things and it will always be there, never-ending, never gonna be solved. Because people think. Too much in fact. Wouldn't it be good if everyone just do things without thinking too much? Go for it. On impulse. On instinct. Would that make things better? Look what has all the thinking done to us. Yes, we have the technology, the entertainment and everything else which people of the past did not have but we no longer have the simplicity in people. I'm not saying that people in the past did not think but they were smarter. They don't think so much. What's the point of thinking so much and still no conclusion and decision could be made? Doesn't that make you feel worse?
Bottomline: we think too much. Don't k. To whoever this is applicable to.
2006-07-22 06:17:51 · answer #4 · answered by Princess illusion 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1.) ok
2,) ok
3.) ok
4.) it wont confirm your theory but it will support it
5.) ok
6.) the green t-shirt doesnt have anything to do with the black ravens.
just because you have seen some things that are not black and not ravens does not go to support that all ravens are black. its completely unrelated.
2006-07-22 08:32:23 · answer #5 · answered by sean_mchugh6 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A green shirt has nothing to do with ravens.
2006-07-22 05:41:20 · answer #6 · answered by John D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if 1 is true, then 2 is true, but 3 is confusion, because you go from an analytical truth to a synthetic truth. 4,5, 6 just restate 2.
2006-07-22 05:46:39 · answer #7 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you use logic as your line of reasoning then your theory is, of course, is correct. If you use common sense, your theory looks idiotic.
2006-07-22 05:46:22 · answer #8 · answered by gallopingaardvark 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
umm because there is no reasoning in it
2006-07-22 05:55:20 · answer #9 · answered by wollemi_pine_writer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋