Word
inductive
Phoneticsin·duc·tive
US/ˌɪnˈdəktɪv/
UK/ɪndˈʌktɪv/
Definition
adj. describing a way of thinking where you start with specific facts and then make a general rule. It is the opposite of starting with a general rule and looking for facts to prove it.
adj. relating to a method of reasoning that involves drawing general conclusions from specific observations or evidence. Often contrasted with deductive reasoning, which moves from general principles to specific instances.
Examples
“The scientist used inductive reasoning to develop her new theory.”
“By observing several specific cases of the disease, the researchers were able to form an inductive hypothesis about its cause.”
“While deductive logic ensures the validity of a conclusion if the premises are true, inductive reasoning provides a probability that the conclusion is likely, given the evidence at hand.”
Examples
simple
“The scientist used inductive reasoning to develop her new theory.”
contextual
“By observing several specific cases of the disease, the researchers were able to form an inductive hypothesis about its cause.”
complex
“While deductive logic ensures the validity of a conclusion if the premises are true, inductive reasoning provides a probability that the conclusion is likely, given the evidence at hand.”
Real-World Examples
“In other words, biological systems are forced to adopt inductive learning , using specific data from the past (or a “training set”) to devise a process for handling any future data.” Etymology
From Middle French inductif, from Late Latin inductivus.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/inductive