A Class Room Logic: Deductive and Inductive, with Special Application to the Science and Art of TeachingMcNair, George Hastings
Philosophy
A Class Room Logic: Deductive and Inductive, with Special Application to the Science and Art of Teaching
McNair, George Hastings
Logic
As a usual thing the particular form which the induction assumes
depends on the nature of the topic under investigation and also on
the mental make-up of the investigator. The general statement that
all birds have wings could hardly be derived by means of analogy or
analysis, but is a matter of a casual observation of many instances.
Moreover, that mind given to accurate observation, but not inclined to
note resemblances or to carry on experiments, would naturally follow
the first inductive type. On the other hand, simple enumeration would
be impossible in questions like the habitability of Mars, and would
yield no results in cases requiring definite scientific experimentation
like electrolysis.
It is worthy of note that some topics lend themselves to all three
modes of procedure. To wit: (1) Enumeration. Without being taught the
rule the child is given a list of examples involving the dividing of
a decimal by a decimal and is asked to solve them. By comparing his
answers with those in the book, he somewhat accidentally discovers
what seems to be the correct rule for pointing off in the quotient.
By following this rule and each time comparing answers he establishes
the truth. (2) Analogy. If .24 ÷ .6 is the first example, the child
may resort to the well known process of dividing a common fraction by a
( 24 60 24 4 )
common fraction, ( ――― ÷ ――― = ―― = ――, ) then, because of their close
( 100 100 60 10 )
resemblance, he may reason that decimal fractions should yield the same
result. (3) Analysis. Here the child reasons that since division of
decimals is the inverse of multiplication of decimals, the rule for
pointing off might be the inverse of the multiplication rule. By trying
this out and proving his answer in each example, he becomes convinced
of the correctness of his reasoning.
=11. INDUCTION BY SIMPLE ENUMERATION.=
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