The method of induction in logic

Induction - is a way to infer, in which a common position come from the private.Such reasoning by mathematical, psychological and factual presentation weaves together several prerequisites.This approach is based on the belief that the nature of all phenomena absolutely independent of each other.

first time the term "induction" still occurs in Socrates, but its value is significantly different from the present.He considered that the comparison of a few special cases, with the exception of false, allows us to give a general definition of the concept.Aristotle went further: he has pointed to the difference between complete and incomplete induction, but have not yet been able to explain the law and the foundations of the latter.He believed this kind of the exact opposite reasoning syllogism.

When the philosophers of the Renaissance began to actively rebel against the views of Aristotle's method of induction declared effective only in the natural sciences.He began to sharply contrast the syllogistic approach the ancient Greek philosopher.

is believed that the method of induction is practically in the form in which it is accepted in modern science, he was nominated by Francis Bacon.Although he actually already had such predecessors as Leonardo da Vinci and some other thinkers.In the words of Bacon did not attach any importance syllogism.But in practice, its induction is complete without this concept.Bacon believed that the compilation should be carried out gradually and take into account the three rules, considered the manifestation of a particular property on three sides:

1) a review of the cases of negative;

2) A review of positive cases;

3) a review of the cases in which the property is manifested in varying degrees, with different force.And starting from all this, it is possible to deduce a generalization.

Thus, Bacon turns out that no syllogism, that is, without summarizing subject matter that is investigated under the general inferences can not bring a new judgment.This means that scientists could not fully counter the inductive deductive method, which Descartes proposed.Yet Bacon did not stop there.Realizing that his method also has shortcomings, he suggested ways to overcome them.For example, he believed that the probabilistic nature of this process, it will be able to gradually overcome the incompleteness of knowledge accumulated by people in many walks of life.

induction method can be of two types: complete and incomplete.In the first case, any claim will be proved to the last particular case, has not yet exhausted all the options.The conclusion obtained quite significant.This method is beyond doubt.In addition, it expands human knowledge about any subject.

incomplete induction method, on the contrary, observation of specific, individual cases leads to a hypothesis that is then necessary also to prove.Logically, it offers enough reasons, the conclusion put forward with it, can be misleading.This method of induction need even some evidence, as is probabilistic in nature.However, mistakes are possible in both cases.They occur due to the fact that the investigation, which deal, doing research, you can pick up too many reasons, which, moreover, may relate to different time periods.

most perfect view of the induction of a scientific induction.In her conclusion about the properties of objects belonging to the same class, made after examining their internal conditioning.This distinguishes it from ordinary induction, in which the properties of the object being studied are considered spontaneous, randomly.

By the way, this way of making inferences is characteristic not only of logic.Methods of scientific induction prevalent in philosophy, physics, medicine, economics and law.