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Question

Inductive reasoning is grounded on:

This question was previously asked in
UGC NET 2015 Paper 1 Question Paper (27-Dec-2015)
The correct answer is

Uniformity of nature

Induction moves from observed cases to a general conclusion covering cases not yet observed, and that leap requires an assumption about how the world behaves.

The assumption is the uniformity of nature - the principle that nature operates consistently, so that whatever has been found to hold in observed instances will continue to hold in similar unobserved instances, and the future will resemble the past in relevant respects. Without this postulate no inductive inference could be justified: the fact that every observed sample of copper conducted electricity would give no reason whatever to expect the next sample to do so.

The principle is a presupposition rather than something induction proves. Trying to establish it by induction would be circular, since the argument would assume the very uniformity it sets out to demonstrate, which is the classical problem of induction.

The other options use words that sound related but name different ideas. Unity of nature suggests that nature forms a single interconnected whole. Harmony of nature suggests that its parts fit together agreeably. Integrity of nature suggests wholeness or soundness. None of these supports the inference from observed to unobserved cases, which requires specifically that nature behave the same way in like circumstances.

Hence inductive reasoning is grounded on the uniformity of nature.

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Similar Questions

  1. Given below are two statements:
    Statement I: The form of inductive argument is evaluated in degrees of likelihood or probability.
    Statement II: A strong inductive argument that has all the true premises, is called a “cogent” argument.
    In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

  2. Given below are two statements:
    Statement I: Inductive arguments can be invalid or valid.
    Statement II: A strong inductive argument that has all true premises is called a "cogent" argument.
    In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

  3. "Ten milligrams of substance X was fed to ten mice. All of them died within two minutes. One could conclude. This amount of substance is fatal to the average mouse". Which of the following statements regarding above argument are true? 

    A. It commits the fallacy of Hasty generalization. 

    B. It commits the fallacy of Irrelevant conclusion. 

    C. It is a strong inductive argument.

     D. It is a weak deductive argument. 

    Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

  4. Which one among the following is a presupposition in inductive reasoning?

  5. Reasoning from a specific case to a general conclusion is known as:

  6. Identify the argument which involves a leap from the known to the unknown.

  7. If we want to seek new knowledge of facts about the world, we must rely on reason of the type:

  8. Given below are some characteristics of logical argument. Select the code which expresses a characteristic which is not of inductive in character.


Important Questions from Inductive

  1. Given below are two statements:
    Statement I: The form of inductive argument is evaluated in degrees of likelihood or probability.
    Statement II: A strong inductive argument that has all the true premises, is called a “cogent” argument.
    In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

  2. Given below are two statements:
    Statement I: Inductive arguments can be invalid or valid.
    Statement II: A strong inductive argument that has all true premises is called a "cogent" argument.
    In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

  3. "Ten milligrams of substance X was fed to ten mice. All of them died within two minutes. One could conclude. This amount of substance is fatal to the average mouse". Which of the following statements regarding above argument are true? 

    A. It commits the fallacy of Hasty generalization. 

    B. It commits the fallacy of Irrelevant conclusion. 

    C. It is a strong inductive argument.

     D. It is a weak deductive argument. 

    Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

  4. Which one among the following is a presupposition in inductive reasoning?

  5. Reasoning from a specific case to a general conclusion is known as:

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