Mizrahi, Moti (2012) The Pessimistic Induction: A Bad Argument Gone Too Far. [Preprint]

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Abstract

In this paper, I consider the pessimistic induction construed as a deductive argument (specifically, reductio ad absurdum) and as an inductive argument (specifically, inductive generalization). I argue that both formulations of the pessimistic induction are fallacious. I also consider another possible interpretation of the pessimistic induction, namely, as pointing to counterexamples to the scientific realist’s thesis that success is a reliable mark of (approximate) truth. I argue that this interpretation of the pessimistic induction fails, too. If this is correct, then the pessimistic induction is an utter failure that should be abandoned by scientific anti-realists.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Mizrahi, Moti motimizra@gmail.com
Keywords:	anti-realism; inductive generalization; pessimistic induction; scientific realism
Subjects:	General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Depositing User:	Dr. Moti Mizrahi
Date Deposited:	20 Jun 2012 12:35
Last Modified:	20 Jun 2012 12:35
Item ID:	9172
Subjects:	General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Date:	18 June 2012
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/9172

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