induction
in-DUK-shun
/ɪnˈdʌk.ʃən/
The process of inferring general principles or laws from specific observations or repeatable patterns.
Induction yields probable conclusions rather than absolute logical certainty; even a thousand white swans cannot conclusively prove that all swans are white.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'inducere', meaning 'to lead into'. In logic, induction leads individual scattered facts into a unifying general law.
Word relationships
- generalization: Generalization can be informal or hasty, whereas induction is a structured method of empirical reasoning.
- deduction: Deduction applies established rules to specific cases, whereas induction gathers specific cases to form rules.
Commonly confused with
- inference: Inference is any mental leap from evidence to a conclusion; induction is a specific type of inference that generalizes from patterns.
Word family
- induce (verb): To bring about or infer by induction.
- inductive (adjective): Relating to logical induction.
Collocations
- scientific induction
- proof by induction
- inductive reasoning
Idioms & expressions
- problem of induction
Example sentences
- "Modern epidemiology relies on induction, gathering thousands of patient records to discover broader patterns of disease transmission." Scientific method
- "The principle of induction, as applied to science, is that laws of nature are inferred from observed correlations." Philosophy of Science
Memory hook
IN-duction leads individual IN-stances IN-to a general rule. Leading instances into general rules.
When not to use
Avoid using 'induction' when talking about absolute mathematical proofs that derive conclusions step-by-step from axioms (except specifically for 'mathematical induction', which is a distinct technical term).
Fun facts
- David Hume famously posed the 'Problem of Induction,' asking why we assume the sun will rise tomorrow just because it always has in the past.
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