Inductive inference and its natural ground : an essay in naturalistic epistemology / Hilary Kornblith.
1993
B828.2 .K67 1993eb
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Title
Inductive inference and its natural ground : an essay in naturalistic epistemology / Hilary Kornblith.
Author
Kornblith, Hilary.
ISBN
0585311234 (electronic bk.)
9780585311234 (electronic bk.)
0262277468
9780262277464
9780585311234 (electronic bk.)
0262277468
9780262277464
Publication Details
Cambridge, Mass. : MIT Press, ©1993.
Language
English
Description
1 online resource (x, 123 pages)
Call Number
B828.2 .K67 1993eb
Dewey Decimal Classification
121/.6
Summary
Hilary Kornblith presents an account of inductive inference that addresses both its metaphysical and epistemological aspects. He argues that inductive knowledge is possible by virtue of the fit between our innate psychological capacities and the causal structure of the world.Kornblith begins by developing an account of natural kinds that has its origins in John Locke's work on real and nominal essences. In Kornblith's view, a natural kind is a stable cluster of properties that are bound together in nature. The existence of such kinds serves as a natural ground of inductive inference.Kornblith then examines two features of human psychology that explain how knowledge of natural kinds is attained. First, our concepts are structured innately in a way that presupposes the existence of natural kinds. Second, our native inferential tendencies tend to provide us with accurate beliefs about the world when applied to environments that are populated by natural kinds.
Note
"A Bradford book."
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