>I was just taught that (weak) induction went like this:
>
>If, assuming Raven #X is black, Raven #(X+1) can be proven to black, and
>Raven #1 is observed to be black, then all ravens are black.
That is analytic induction and is logically valid in mathematics. (Of
course it applies to things like numbers, not ravens).
>Were you describing more common logical error made by many (lesser <g>)
>people in their models of reality?
Yes, synthetic (empirical) induction is logically invalid. But the invalid
part if assuming that you can prove assertions from it, rather than
generate provisional assumptions.
-- David McFadzean david@lucifer.com Memetic Engineer http://www.lucifer.com/~david/ Church of Virus http://www.lucifer.com/virus/