# Induction The theory there exists, short of mathematical proof, a lesser but still worthy form of [Justification](Justification.md) called **induction**. Induction was contrasted, on the one hand, with the supposedly perfect justification provided by [Deduction](Deduction.md), and on the other hand with supposedly weaker philosophical or intuitive forms of reasoning that do not even have observational evidence to back them up. In the inductivist theory of scientific knowledge, observations play two roles: 1. In the discovery of scientific theories 2. In their [Justification](Justification.md). A theory is supposed to be discovered by ‘extrapolating’ or ‘generalizing’ the results of observations. Then, if large numbers of observations conform to the theory, and none deviates from it, the theory is supposed to be justified — made more believable, probable or reliable. Inductivism regards the catalogue of our past observations as a sort of skeletal theory, supposing that science is all about filling in the gaps in that theory by interpolation and extrapolation.  In the inductivist paradigm the discussion of "Shadows" (see chapter 2, [Fabric of Reality](Fabric%20of%20Reality.md)) would go something like this: 1. **Stage 1: Observations** We make a series of observations of shadows, and see interference phenomena. The results conform to what would be expected if there existed parallel universes which affect one another in certain ways. But at first no one notices this. 2. **Stage 2: Generalization** Eventually someone forms the generalization that interference will always be observed under the given circumstances, and thereby induces the theory that parallel universes are responsible. 3. **Stage 3: More Observations** With every further observation of interference we become a little more convinced of that theory. 4. **Stage 4: Justification of the Theory** After a sufficiently long sequence of such observations, and provided that none of them ever contradicts the theory, we conclude that the theory is true. Although we can never be absolutely sure, we are for practical purposes convinced. Unfortunately, [Induction is Impossible](Induction%20is%20Impossible.md). --- Date: 20240913 Links to: [Problem of Induction](Problem%20of%20Induction.md) [Fabric of Reality](Fabric%20of%20Reality.md) chapter 3 Tags: References: * []()