Inductive Inference & its Natural Ground – An Essay in Naturalistic Epistomology: Essay in Naturalistic Epistemology - Hardcover

Kornblith, Hilary

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0262111756 ISBN 13: 9780262111751

Publisher: MIT Press, 1993

Synopsis

Hilary Kornblith presents an account of inductive inference that address 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.

About this title

Review

"This is a very fine essay on naturalistic epistemology. Kornblith's work will be a distinctive contribution at the interface of philosophy and cognitive science." Alvin I. Goldman, University of Arizona

Edition details

• Publisher: MIT Press
• Publication date: 1993
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0262111756
• ISBN 13: 9780262111751
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 136