Inductive reasoning aims to show that the conclusion is probably true if the premises are true. It deals with probability and observing patterns.
Key Concepts
Strength
An inductive argument is strong if the truth of the premises makes the conclusion probable (greater than 50% likely).
Cogency
An argument is cogent if it is:
- Strong
- All its premises are actually true.
Cogent = Strong + True Premises
Types of Induction
- Generalization: Reasoning from a sample to a population.
- Analogy: Arguing that because two things are alike in some ways, they are alike in another way.
- Causal Inference: Reasoning from cause to effect or effect to cause.
- Prediction: Reasoning from past/present to future.