Karl Popper's concept of falsifiability serves to differentiate science from pseudo-science. A scientific theory must be rigorously testable and potentially falsifiable. Traditional inductive logic, epitomized by the claim that all swans are white, is undermined by David Hume's principle that generalizations lack logical certainty. The discovery of black swans disproves the generalization, demonstrating that even widely accepted inductive claims can be invalid. Circular reasoning occurs when one assumes a conclusion based on prior experience without justification, emphasizing the need for empirical validation in scientific inquiry.
Popper claimed that falsifiability is the key feature differentiating science from all other ways of thinking. A truly scientific theory consists of statements that can be rigorously tested against the evidence and potentially found to be false.
Inductive logic was thought of as the method by which scientists discovered laws of nature. The sight of one white swan after another leads to the theory that 'all swans are white.' However, as David Hume noted, the generalisation does not logically follow.
The observation of black swans in Australia immediately disproves the law that 'all swans are white,' showing that inductive generalisations can be disproved with one counter-instance.
To argue that the future will always be like the past because it always has been, would be a circular argument - assuming what you are trying to prove.
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