The Large-Scale Structure of Inductive Inference investigates the relations of inductive support on the large scale, among the totality of facts comprising a science or science in general. These relations form a massively entangled, non-hierarchical structure which is discovered by making hypotheses provisionally that are later supported by facts drawn from the entirety of the science. What results is a benignly circular, self-supporting inductive structure in which universal rules are not employed, the classical Humean problem cannot be formulated and analogous regress arguments fail.

The earlier volume, The Material Theory of Induction, proposed that individual inductive inferences are warranted not by universal rules but by facts particular to each context. This book now investigates how the totality of these inductive inferences interact in a mature science. Each fact that warrants an individual inductive inference is in turn supported inductively by other facts. Numerous case studies in the history of science support, and illustrate further, those claims. This is a novel, thoroughly researched, and sustained remedy to the enduring failures of formal approaches to inductive inference.

John D. Norton is a distinguished professor of history and philosophy of science at the University of Pittsburgh. He works in history and philosophy of physics and general philosophy of science. He is co-founder of PhilSci-Archive, a preprint server in the philosophy of science,

Hans Halvorson, Stuart Professor of Philosophy, Princeton University:
In the face of centuries of skepticism about, and backlash against science, Norton provides the strongest case ever that all is good (or can be good) with science. The perspective is fresh, the arguments are probing, and the assembled historical data is awe inspiring.

Marc Lange, Theda Perdue Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill:
Norton’s important new book will be an essential touchstone for all future work on the logic of scientific reasoning.