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Subsection 8.12.3 Statistical and Probabilistic Truth

When we talk about empirical induction, we generally want to say things like:

  • It’s likely that there are no 20 foot tall people.

  • I’m more sure, after seeing another 3000 peacocks, that all peacocks have colored feathers.

  • It’s nearly certain that the sun will come up tomorrow. It always has.

The theory of probability gives us powerful tools for reasoning with statements of this sort. Unfortunately we can’t explore them here, but you can and should some time.