Theoretical Concepts and Hypothetico-Inductive Inference

1. Front Matter

   Pages I-X

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2. Theoretical Concepts and Inductive Inference

   • Ilkka Niiniluoto, Raimo Tuomela

   Pages 1-21

3. Hintikka’s Two-Dimensional Continuum of Inductive Methods

   • Ilkka Niiniluoto, Raimo Tuomela

   Pages 22-29

4. Inductive Probabilities of Weak Generalizations

   • Ilkka Niiniluoto, Raimo Tuomela

   Pages 30-50

5. Inductive Probabilities of Strong Generalizations

   • Ilkka Niiniluoto, Raimo Tuomela

   Pages 51-56

6. Piecewise Definable Theoretical Concepts

   • Ilkka Niiniluoto, Raimo Tuomela

   Pages 57-63

7. Epistemic Utilities and Inductive Systematization

   • Ilkka Niiniluoto, Raimo Tuomela

   Pages 64-87

8. Theoretical Concepts and Inductive Explanation

   • Ilkka Niiniluoto, Raimo Tuomela

   Pages 88-117

9. Corroboration and Theoretical Concepts

   • Ilkka Niiniluoto, Raimo Tuomela

   Pages 118-140

10. The Logical Indispensability of Theoretical Concepts Within Inductive Systematization

    • Ilkka Niiniluoto, Raimo Tuomela

    Pages 141-164

11. Linguistic Variance in Inductive Logic

    • Ilkka Niiniluoto, Raimo Tuomela

    Pages 165-195

12. Towards a Non-Inductivist Logic of Induction

    • Ilkka Niiniluoto, Raimo Tuomela

    Pages 196-245

13. Back Matter

    Pages 246-268

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Conceptual change and its connection to the development of new seien­ tific theories has reeently beeome an intensively discussed topic in philo­ sophieal literature. Even if the inductive aspects related to conceptual change have already been discussed to some extent, there has so far existed no systematic treatment of inductive change due to conceptual enrichment. This is what we attempt to accomplish in this work, al­ though most of our technical results are restricted to the framework of monadic languages. We extend Hintikka's system of inductive logic to apply to situations in which new concepts are introduced to the original language. By interpreting them as theoretica1 concepts, it is possible to discuss a number of currently debated philosophical and methodological problems which have previously escaped systematic and exact treatment. For instance, the role which seientific theories employing theoretical con­ cepts may play within inductive inference can be studied within this framework. From the viewpoint of seientific realism, sueh a study gives outlines for a theory of what we call hypothetico-induetive inference. Some parts of this work which are based on Hintikka's system of in­ ductive logic are fairly technical. However, no previous knowledge of this system is required, but, in general, acquaintance with the basic ideas of elementary logic and probability theory is suffieient. This work is part of a project, originated by Professors Jaakko Hintikka and Raimo Tuomela, concerning the role of theoretical concepts in science.

• concept
• dynamics
• invariance
• logic
• probability

• Humanities Research Council, Academy of Finland, Finland

  Ilkka Niiniluoto

• Department of Philosophy, University of Helsinki, Finland

  Raimo Tuomela

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