Inductive reasoning

Inductive reasoning refers to a variety of methods of reasoning in which the conclusion of an argument is supported not with deductive certainty, but with some degree of probability.^[1] Unlike deductive reasoning (such as mathematical induction), where the conclusion is certain, given the premises are correct, inductive reasoning produces conclusions that are at best probable, given the evidence provided.^[2]^[3]

^ "Inductive Logic". Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 2025. Retrieved 9 April 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
^ Copi, I.M.; Cohen, C.; Flage, D.E. (2006). Essentials of Logic (Second ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education. ISBN 978-0-13-238034-8.
^ Russell, Bertrand (1948). Human Knowledge: Its Scope and Limits. London: George Allen and Unwin. p. 450.

[1] "Inductive Logic". Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 2025. Retrieved 9 April 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

[2] Copi, I.M.; Cohen, C.; Flage, D.E. (2006). Essentials of Logic (Second ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education. ISBN 978-0-13-238034-8.

[3] Russell, Bertrand (1948). Human Knowledge: Its Scope and Limits. London: George Allen and Unwin. p. 450.

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