de Canson, Chloé (2025) Bayesianism and the Inferential Solution to Hume’s Problem. Philosophers' Imprint, 25 (39). pp. 1-15. ISSN 1533-628X

Text BISHj.pdf Download (102kB)

Abstract

I examine Howson’s alluring suggestion that Bayesianism, by supplying a logic of inductive inference—conditionalisation—solves the problem of induction. I draw on his historical heritage, especially Hume, Peirce, and Ramsey, to reconstruct the interpretation of the problem of induction that his remarks intimates. Roughly, it is that of how to amend the system with which one meets the world, in the light of new particulars. Unfortunately, his claim that conditionalisation constitutes a solution to this problem, I argue, fails by his own lights, because it turns on the widely endorsed but nonetheless erroneous contention that a justification of conditionalisation qua rule of inference can be given independently from a justification of the priors.

---

Export/Citation:

EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Published Article or Volume
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID de Canson, Chloé 0009-0006-1552-4933
Keywords:	Induction, inductive inference, conditionalisation, problem of the priors, Bayesianism, Ramsey, Peirce, Hume
Subjects:	General Issues > Confirmation/Induction General Issues > Formal Learning Theory
Depositing User:	Chloé de Canson
Date Deposited:	04 Mar 2026 13:50
Last Modified:	04 Mar 2026 13:50
Item ID:	28434
Journal or Publication Title:	Philosophers' Imprint
Official URL:	https://philpapers.org/rec/CANBAT-3
DOI or Unique Handle:	https://doi.org/10.3998/phimp.7819
Subjects:	General Issues > Confirmation/Induction General Issues > Formal Learning Theory
Date:	December 2025
Page Range:	pp. 1-15
Volume:	25
Number:	39
ISSN:	1533-628X
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/28434

Available Versions of this Item

• Bayesianism and the Inferential Solution to Hume’s Problem. (deposited 18 Sep 2025 12:42)
  • Bayesianism and the Inferential Solution to Hume’s Problem. (deposited 03 Oct 2025 10:52)
    • Bayesianism and the Inferential Solution to Hume’s Problem. (deposited 04 Mar 2026 13:50) [Currently Displayed]

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Altmetric.com

Actions (login required)

View Item