The Reasonable Person · Chapter 10 · Remedial Lab A

The Inductive Principle
& Generalizations

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Lab
10a
Remedial Lab
The Inductive Principle & Generalizations

Building from Particulars to Universals

Induction moves from observed particulars to probable universal conclusions — the opposite direction from deduction. This lab focuses on the two topics students find most challenging: the Inductive Principle itself and the different kinds of generalizations. Click each tile to review before you begin.
Ind.
Prin.
The Inductive Principle ▼
The Inductive Principle: Whatever is true of all known instances of a sufficiently numerous and representative set of inferiors is (more or less probably) also true of their common universal.
Three requirements:
  • Inferiority: The things observed must be inferiors of the universal being concluded.
  • Numerosity: Enough instances must be observed.
  • Representativeness: The sample must reflect the full diversity of the universal.
A single counterexample can defeat a universal inductive claim. Unlike deduction, inductive conclusions are always probable, never certain.
Gen.
Kinds of Generalizations ▼
A generalization draws a probable conclusion about a universal from observed inferiors.
Types:
  • Complete enumeration: Every inferior is observed — conclusion is certain, not inductive.
  • Essential generalization: Conclusion is about an essential property of the universal ("All metals conduct electricity").
  • Statistical generalization — frequency: "N% of observed Ps have trait T; therefore N% of all Ps probably have T."
  • Statistical generalization — probability: "N% of observed Ps have trait T; therefore any given P has an N% chance of T."
Your task in this lab: Part One walks you through twelve guided questions with explanations. Part Two gives you randomized practice. Work carefully — mastery requires 20 consecutive correct, or 29/30 first-attempt correct, or 38/40 first-attempt correct.
Part One

Session Report

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Mastery Achieved