Science and induction.
"Physical concepts are free creations of the human mind and are not, however if may seem, uniquely determined by the external world. In our endeavor to understand reality we are somewhat like a man trying to understand the mechanism of a closed watch. He sees the face and the moving hands, even hears it ticking, but he has no way of opening the case. If he is ingenious he may form some picture of a mechanism which could be responsible for all the things that he observes, but he may never be quite sure that his picture is the only one which could explain his observations. He will never be able to compare his picture with the real mechanism and he cannot even imagine the possibility or the meaning of such a comparison."
The Evolution of Physics, 1938
Albert Einstein
This lovely quote I have pondered much. Having read about logic as my homework, I have come to a deeper understanding of this quote.
There are two basic forms of logical arguments: Deductive and Inductive.
A deductive argument is an argument of which it is intended that, if the premises are true, it is impossible for the conclusion to be false.
An inductive argument is an argument of which it is intended that, if the premises are true, it's possible, but unlikely, that the conclusion is false.
The scientific method is a type of inductive argument.
I believe that this is what Einstein was pointing out--that science may be able to explain observed behaviors, but it cannot guarantee the explanation is correct. (which it would be able to if science were based on deductive logic.)
Makes you wonder...
The Evolution of Physics, 1938
Albert Einstein
This lovely quote I have pondered much. Having read about logic as my homework, I have come to a deeper understanding of this quote.
There are two basic forms of logical arguments: Deductive and Inductive.
A deductive argument is an argument of which it is intended that, if the premises are true, it is impossible for the conclusion to be false.
An inductive argument is an argument of which it is intended that, if the premises are true, it's possible, but unlikely, that the conclusion is false.
The scientific method is a type of inductive argument.
I believe that this is what Einstein was pointing out--that science may be able to explain observed behaviors, but it cannot guarantee the explanation is correct. (which it would be able to if science were based on deductive logic.)
Makes you wonder...