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Isaac Newton's 4th rule of reasoning

Posted: March 27th, 2015, 7:39 pm
by fschmidt
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In experimental philosophy we are to look upon propositions collected by general induction from phaenomena as accurately or very nearly true, notwithstanding any contrary hypotheses that may be imagined, till such time as other phaenomena occur, by which they may either be made more accurate, or liable to exceptions.

This rule we must follow, that the argument of induction may not be evaded by hypotheses.
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http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Mathe ... kIII-Rules

This rule concisely expresses scientific inductive reasoning as opposed to liberal (Plato-based) hypothesized fantasies.

Re: Isaac Newton's 4th rule of reasoning

Posted: March 27th, 2015, 9:24 pm
by Jester
Nice.

Corollaries:
(1)
Noone should dare any longer to bring up Darwin's Theory of Evolution of the Spec ies Through Survival of the Fittest (whatever it was called), since there are no examples from which it is derived.

Instead we may infer that an Intelligent, actively engaged Creator created our world - since all examples of creation that we know of, did indeed have a creator (shoes, pancakes, kites, etc.)

(2)
Persons inclined to sneer about "conspiracy theories" and offer tortuous explanations involving bizarre coincidences (like Oswald leaning out the window and firing a "magic bullet" from a left-handed position, or three steel buildings crumbling into dust because two of them were hit by airplanes), should now stand down, when more clearer, simpler explanations are available.