Inductive Reasoning Essay
- 1. Essay On Induction Induction The problem and its solution Introduction In this paper the question "What are the possible solutions and alternatives for the problem of induction?" will be answered. To answer this question, induction will be explained. After that the problem of induction will be pointed out. Then possible solutions and alternatives will be discussed. What is induction? First of all: what is induction? Induction is a reasoning technique which is used to prove statements. It uses general statements about observations, turned into premises, and uses these to form an overall statement. There are three conditions which need to be followed for a proper proof by induction. REFERENTIE INDUCTION 1)The number of observations must be large. 2)The observations should be repeated under a large amount of conditions 3)Not a single observation should be in conflict with the argument. Induction uses two steps. The first one is to observe and make premises. The...show more content... He does that by providing the theory that it actually is not a way to proof things, but to make induction a way of creating a statement, which can be proven wrong by using conjecture and criticism (Popper, 1963). Instead of looking for theories that are probably true, science should look for theories that are probably false. Instead of finding justification, there should be looked for errors in existing theories to correct (Popper, 1963). According to Immanuel Kant our fundamental convictions about the natural world are derived from twelve a priori –principles which he had classified into four categories: Quantity, Quality, Relation and Modality. He believed that we have obtained these a priori–principles in the process of natural selection. Because of these principles, we were able to judge induction quite accurate (Kant, 1781). Even though this gives an explanation for our trust in the principle of induction, it does not give any justification for our Get more content on HelpWriting.net
- 2. Mills Inductive Reasoning Essay Mill's Inductive reasoning Mill's method of agreement identifies a cause of an event in terms of its sufficient condition. When using this method, one searches for a single factor that is common to multiple situations in which the same event occurred. Mill says that, when two or more occurrences of the event under investigation have only one condition in common, then that condition is the cause of the event. (Mill, 2002) More simply stated, Mill's method of agreement eliminates all but one common precursor. Mill's method of agreement requires that in all cases where a consequence has occurred, the antecedent condition must be present. This method isolates the supposed origin by listing all of the possible factors that can be...show more content... Method of Difference According to Mill, if an occurrence in which the event being investigated occurs, and an instance in which it does not occur, have every condition in common except one, then that one circumstance in which alone the two instances differ is the effect, or the cause, or an indispensable part of the cause, of the occurrence. The method of difference necessitates a comparison of at least one case in which the occurrence appeared and at least one in which it did not, (Kemerling, 2001). Simply stated, Mill's method of difference is the exclusion of all differences between the cases being studied except one between instances in which the effect occurred and those in which it did not. For example, in the case above: Suppose our four co–workers all ordered the same meal – Hamburger, Fries and a Diet Pepsi. However, one decided to add a slice of cherry pie. It would be reasonable for that one person to say, "I shouldn't have had the pie. It made me sick." The pie may have been spoiled or perhaps the sickness was from over eating – we're not sure. However, it would be reasonable to conclude that we have isolated the pie as a factor that caused that one person's nausea, (Kemerling, 2001). The major difference between the indirect method of difference and the method of agreement is that the indirect method uses negative cases to strengthen conclusions drawn Get more content on HelpWriting.net
- 3. Induction Reasoning The problem of induction is based on induction reasoning which focuses on creating board generalizations from specific observations. We make an observation, discover that there's a pattern linked to the observation and then we build on a generalization/assumption on that observation. The problem with induction reasoning is that many people rely on the perception that whatever has happened in the past, will be resembled in the future; therefore since it has happened before, it will happen again. For example, how do I know that the sun will rise tomorrow? My answer would be based on my knowledge through induction: I know the sun will rise tomorrow, because it has risen every day in the past. The reason why this is an unreliable source of thinking Get more content on HelpWriting.net
- 4. Inductive Approach Deductive: Deductive reasoning is a logical process in which a conclusion is based on the concordance of multiple premises that are generally assumed to be true. Deductive reasoning is sometimes referred to as top–down logic. Its counterpart, inductive reasoning, is sometimes referred to as bottom–up logic. Difference: The main difference between inductive and deductive approaches to research is that whilst a deductive approach is aimed and testing theory, an inductive approach is concerned with the generation of new theory emerging from the data. Inductive or Deductive? Two Different Approaches Learning Objectives 1.Describe the inductive approach to research, and provide examples of inductive research. 2.Describe the deductive approach...show more content... Specifically, no hypotheses can be found at the initial stages of the research and the researcher is not sure about the type and nature of the research findings until the study is completed. In inductive approach there is no theory at the beginning point of the research, and theories may evolve as a result of the research: It is noted that "inductive reasoning is often referred to as a "bottom–up" approach to knowing, in which the researcher uses observations to build an abstraction or to describe a picture of the phenomenon that is being studied" (Lodico et al, 2010, p.10). In other words, in inductive studies no known theories or patterns need to be tested during the research process. Inductive reasoning is based on learning from experience. Patterns, resemblances and regularities in experience (premises) are observed in order to reach conclusions (or to generate theory). Here is an example: My nephew borrowed $100 last June but he did not pay back until September as he had promised (PREMISE). Then he assured me that he will pay back until Christmas but he didn't (PREMISE). He also failed in to keep his promise to pay back in March (PREMISE). I reckon I have to face the facts. My nephew is never going to pay me back Get more content on HelpWriting.net