In 1943, while teaching Mechanics at Syracuse University, I discovered that I possess hypnotic powers. In the class was a lovable, but mentally poorly equipped, student who went, among his classmates, by the simple name of Snuffy. One day, early in the semester, I tried to make clear the difference between conclusions arrived at by deduction and those arrived at by induction—the former (if the premises are accepted) being incontestable, while the latter are only more or less probable.

I illustrated deductive reasoning by such examples as:

Premises:

1. (1) All Canadians are North Americans.

2. (2) All Nova Scotians are Canadians,

Conclusion: All Nova Scotians are North Americans.

To illustrate induction I said, “Suppose I have a bucket of pebbles here on my desk. I select a pebble from the bucket,” I pantomimed picking a pebble from my imaginary bucket, “hold it over the edge of the desk,” I moved my hand containing the imaginary pebble beyond the edge of the desk, “and release it.” I opened my hand. “I note that the pebble falls to the floor.” With my eyes I followed the descending pebble as it fell. “I try the same experiment, and again the selected pebble falls to the floor. I do this with 100 pebbles, and in each case the pebble falls to the floor. Interesting! I grab a notebook and record my discovery: If a pebble is released, it falls to the floor.