We tell you what an inductive argument is, its characteristics and examples. Also, the difference with a deductive argument.
What is an inductive argument?
An inductive argument or reasoning is a logical reasoning that goes from the particular to the general. That is, it starts from a knowledge of particular phenomena to obtain a general truth or principle that explains them.
Inductive arguments They were popularized by Francis Bacon (1561-1626)English philosopher, with the publication of his work Novum Organum in the 16th century.
In the case of science, it is called induction. procedure scientists use to obtain knowledge from experience. Induction, through the observation of the repetition of a phenomenon, allows us to discover its properties.
The first step of inductive arguments involves observe a similarity, from which a generalization or conjecture is made. This generalization occurs as a result of the evidence obtained from different particular cases.
The logical writing of an inductive argument is as follows:
- It is observed that every time X is given, Y is given.
- It is induced that whenever X is given, Y is given.
Key points
- Inductive arguments go from the particular to the general.
- They operate the opposite of deductive arguments, which go from the general to the particular.
- Francis Bacon popularized the use of inductive arguments in the 16th century.
Logical aspects of induction
The arguments that allow us to discover a truth not known directly are called inferences.
- Inductive inferences are those in which the truth is reached in a probable way.
- Deductive inferences are those in which the truth is arrived at in a necessary way.
Inductions allow us to find unanticipated truths, which is the source of their value. In scientific activities, discoveries made through inferences are usually those that end up changing scientific paradigms or, in their own way, alter the order of what has been planned until now.
Examples of inductive arguments
- Premise 1: My city has bridges.
- Premise 2: The neighboring city has bridges.
- Premise 3. The cities that are close to mine have bridges.
- Conclusion: All cities have bridges.
- Premise 1: Iron is a good conductor of electric current.
- Premise 2: Copper is a good conductor of electrical current.
- Conclusion: Metals are good conductors of electric current.
- Premise 1: When I put my finger in water, it gets wet.
- Premise 2: When I put an apple in water, it gets wet.
- Premise 3: When I put a fork in water, it gets wet.
- Conclusion: All objects that go into water get wet.
The problem of induction
The induction problem was popularized by Scottish philosopher David Hume (1711-1776) in the 18th century. Hume argued that there is no conclusive logical justification for inductive inference, since one cannot be sure that regularities observed in the past will hold in the future. In other words, even if certain repeated patterns have been observed in the past, there is no guarantee that these patterns will persist in the future.
Besides, By performing an induction it is not possible to know if, from its results, knowledge can be producedsince it cannot justify the truth value of its conclusion. Hume explained this problem by distinguishing between relations of ideas and matters of fact. Relations of ideas are logical relations, while matters of fact, having their origin in experience, are contingent.
This problem posed by Hume calls into question the validity of inductive inference and leads to questions about how to rationally justify general beliefs based on past observations. Over the years, philosophers have debated how to deal with this problem and proposed different approaches, such as using probability, abduction (inference toward the best explanation), and pragmatic reliance on induction because of its usefulness. practice despite its lack of absolute foundation.
deductive argument
A deductive argument is a argument in which the conclusion is implicit in the premisess.
One form of deductive argument is the syllogism. Syllogisms have two premises, one general and one specific, that announce a valid and certain conclusion.
For example:
- Premise 1. All dogs bark.
- Premise 2. The Labrador is a dog.
- Conclusion. All farmers bark.
References
- Gamut, LTF, & Durán, C. (2002). Introduction to logic. Buenos Aires, Argentina: Eudeba.
- Obiols, G. (1997). New Logic and Philosophy course. Kapelusz.
- Díez, JA (2002). Initiation to Logic. Ariel.
