California State University Berkely Philosophy Essay

Content:

Recently we learned about Nelson Goodman’s understanding of the problem of induction: the so-called New Riddle of Induction.  Your essay should do all of the following three things:

A. Explain why someone might think that justifying the Principle of Uniformity of Nature would solve the problem of induction. (Doing so will require explain what the PUN is.)

B. Explain Goodman’s argument that justifying the Principle of Uniformity of Nature is insufficient to justify induction. Be sure to define any special terms such as “grue” that you introduce.  If justifying the PUN is not sufficient to justify induction, what must be done to justify induction (according to Goodman)?

C. Make the strongest case you can for the claim that it is difficult to do what Goodman thinks must be done to justify induction. Be sure to define any special terms such as “bleen” that you introduce.