Generalisations

The main point of making generalisations is to be able to predict, that is, on the basis of observations and regular dependencies observed between observations, to establish a general principle and then, given another observation, to predict a further observation on the basis of the general principle. In discussing empirical generalisations, we can distinguish between the following operations:

1. Observation. When we experience the world, among other things we observe objects and event, and in doing so we ascribe properties to these objects.
2. Abstraction. The properties are the basis of our experience of the similarities between objects. On the basis of these similarities we group objects and events into sets.
3. Implication. if, whenever a property P is ascribed to an object or event, a property Q is also ascribed to the object or event at some related point in time, then P empirically implies Q, and some kind of intrinsic connection, such causality, or being part of the same object is experienced. It is this implication that constitutes the generalisation.
4. Inference. Given a new object or event with property P, we infer from this observation, together with the generalisation, that the object or event has the property Q. This mode of inference is traditionally called modus ponens. There are other interesting modes of inference, such as modus tollens, by means of which we infer from the lack of a property Q for an object or event that P is also not valid for this object or event.
5. Prediction. If we interpret our inference in terms of time, then we may claim that whenever in the future an object or event is experienced as having property P it may be predicted to have the property Q.

Tasks:

1. Think of properties of different kinds of objects, and dependencies between these properties. and formulate generalisations.
2. What is a property, what is an object, what is an event? Are there other kinds of category, apart from these, which need to be taken into account?
3. What kinds of thing do you predict every day without thinking twice about them?
4. Are there some things which are in principle predictable, and others which are in principle not predictable?