ABSTRACT
You’re sitting beside a lake observing swans. The first swan you see is white. The second swan you see is white. The third swan you see is white. You continue observing swans. The nth swan you see is white. You conclude that all swans are white. Your argument might be represented as follows:
Do you have good reason to accept your conclusion? No. Watching a bunch of swans on one lake on one day doesn’t tell you a whole lot about all swans that did, do, or will exist anywhere. Could you strengthen the argument for your conclusion? Sure, you look at more swans. Does it make any difference at which swans you look? Sort of.
