We explain what an inference is, what are the methods to obtain them and various examples. Also, in what cases are they valid.
What is an inference?
In logic, the process by which certain conclusions are obtained from a specific set of premises is called inference. That is, when a conclusion logically derives from what is stated in its premises, it is said that it is inferred from those.
The word “inference” comes from Latin, and is composed of the prefix -in (“towards”) and the verb ferre (“carry” or “lead to”), so it can be understood as the logical process that leads from a premise to a conclusionor also, that it tries to discover the logical sense between the premises and the conclusions, that is, to find a implicature.
In fact, inferences are the primary object of study of logic, which classifies and organizes them according to the type of reasoning used to obtain them, as follows:
- Inferences obtained by deductionthat is, by the use of valid arguments that allow us to extract the meaning implicit in the premises.
- Inferences obtained by inductiona process opposite to the previous one, in which a general, universal conclusion is sought, based on singular premises.
- Inferences obtained through probabilitywhich consists of finding more or less possible conclusions based on the frequency with which the premises are manifested.
- Inferences obtained through statistical reasoningwhich from a known percentage of elements, concludes the possibility that certain conditions are satisfied.
The validity of an inference does not lie in the truth or falsity of its premises, but in the validity of the reasoning that connects premises and conclusions. Thus, it is possible to obtain true or false conclusions through a valid inference procedure. For example, it is possible to infer that if all men are mortal, and Mary, being a woman, is not a man, then Mary can be immortal.
See also: Deductive and inductive arguments
Examples of inferences
The following reasoning are examples of inferences:
- All known planets are round and the Earth is a planet, so the Earth is surely round.
- If it dawns every day, it is certain that tomorrow it will dawn again.
- If out of a population of 100 people 70 do not eat meat, it is possible to say that the majority of the population is vegetarian.
- If all things fall eventually, when you throw a stone, it will eventually fall.
Continue with: Logical thinking
References
- “Inference” in Wikipedia.
- “What are the types of inference” (video) in Educatina.
- “Inference” at the Cervantes Virtual Center (Spain).
- “Inference” in The Encyclopaedia Britannica.
