How to Solve Hume's Problem of Induction

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Abstract

This paper explains what’s wrong with a Hume-inspired argument for skepticism about induction. Hume’s argument takes as a premise that inductive reasoning presupposes that the future will resemble the past. I explain why that claim is not plausible. The most plausible premise in the vicinity is that inductive reasoning from E to H presupposes that if E then H. I formulate and then refute a skeptical argument based on that premise. Central to my response is a psychological explanation for how people judge that if E then H without realizing that they thereby settled the matter rationally.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)157-174
Number of pages18
JournalEpisteme
Volume16
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2019

EGS Disciplines

  • Philosophy

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