Induction Quote by John Stuart Mill
“Induction is a process of inference; it proceeds from the known to the unknown.”
About This Quote
Source Book: System of Logic, 1843
Induction moves from known facts to unknown conclusions, forming the basis of scientific reasoning.
In simple terms: Induction goes from known to unknown.
Key Takeaway
Use known data to infer new ideas.
Themes
philosophy
science
methodology
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- research design
- hypothesis generation
- problem solving
Key Concepts
Epistemology
logical reasoning
Questions to Reflect On
- When does induction fail?
- How to test inductive conclusions?
A Different Perspective
Induction can lead to false generalizations.
![“The only hope [of science] ... is in genuine induction.” quote by Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/090/francis-bacon-297_accounts_the-only-hope-of-science-is-in-genuine-i_829146.jpg)
![“[For people] to refuse a hearing to an opinion, because they are sure that it is false, is to assume that their certainty is the same thing as absolute certainty. All silencing of discussion is an assumption of infallibility.” quote by John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c53/john-stuart-mill-477_doubt_for-people-to-refuse-a-hearing-to-an-opi_63929.jpg)
![“[Mathematics] unceasingly calls forth the faculties of observation and comparison; one of its principal weapons is induction: it has frequent recourse to trial and verification; and it affords a boundless scope for the exercise of the highest efforts of imagination and invention.” quote by James Joseph Sylvester](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/301/james-joseph-sylvester-23602_boundless_mathematics-unceasingly-calls-forth-the_447035.jpg)
