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Inductive reasoning is the use of specific observations or examples to make generalizations or draw conclusions. It involves moving from particular instances to form a broad conclusion.
specific to general
Inductive reasoning was formalized by the 18th-century Scottish philosopher David Hume. He argued that inductive reasoning is based on the assumption that future instances will resemble past ones.
Deductive reasoning moves from general principles to specific conclusions, while inductive reasoning moves from specific observations to broader generalizations. Deductive reasoning aims to prove a conclusion with certainty, while inductive reasoning aims to support a conclusion with probability.
Inductive reasoning involves making generalizations based on specific observations or evidence. It is used to make predictions about future events or outcomes by extrapolating from past experiences. However, conclusions drawn through inductive reasoning are not guaranteed to be true, as they are based on probabilities rather than certainties.
The major champion of inductive reasoning is often considered to be Sir Francis Bacon, an English philosopher and statesman who advocated for the use of inductive reasoning as a method for acquiring knowledge and understanding the natural world. He believed that observations and experiments should serve as the basis for drawing general principles or conclusions.