Q&A: Deduction Whose Source Is Induction?
Deduction Whose Source Is Induction?
Question
Hello Rabbi,
The claim that human beings are mortal, and from this it follows that every individual human being is mortal, is talking about deductive inference.
Does that deductive inference originate in induction?
After all, one can conclude that human beings are mortal only after observing the death of a number of people. It is impossible to observe the death of all human beings, only to predict death in the future.
Thank you.
Answer
Indeed. That is exactly Mill’s objection to deduction. Its major premise is the result of induction.
In other words, what is necessary in deduction is only the derivation of the conclusion from the premises. The premises themselves are not necessary.
Discussion on Answer
Every valid logical inference begs the question. See my article here: https://mikyab.net/%D7%9B%D7%AA%D7%91%D7%99%D7%9D/%D7%9E%D7%90%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D/%D7%90%D7%91%D7%A8%D7%94%D7%9D-%D7%90%D7%91%D7%99%D7%A0%D7%95-%D7%95%D7%9B%D7%95%D7%91%D7%A2%D7%95-%D7%91%D7%A9%D7%91%D7%97-%D7%94%D7%A0%D7%97%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%91%D7%95%D7%A7%D7%A9
In your opinion, when is it correct to use this kind of inference, if at all, since as I understand it this involves begging the question?