Chapter 5

Inference
5.1 Meaning of Inference
'Inference is the operation of the reasoning of the mind by which the
mind arrives at a new knowledge from a known knowledge.'

In other words

It is a process of knowledge by which from the known knowledge, truth

or fact we arrive at new knowledge, truth of fact

5.2 Kinds of Inference

There are two kinds of inference

1. Immediate inference

2. Mediate inference.

5.2.1 Immediate inference

It is the process by which the conclusion is arrived at from the very

terms and their place in the proposition which expressed the previously
known truth.

Ex: Joe is the son of Francis.

Conclusion: Francis is the father of Joe.

Note: Immediate inference does not state any new fact, it only restates
the given fact in a different form.

5.2.2 Mediate Inference

It is the process by which the conclusion is arrived at from a

previously known truth by means of a medium (or the third truth/fact.)

Ex: wherever three is smoke there is fire known

I see smoke behind the hills Medium

There is fire behind the hills Inference

Mediate inference can be of two types:

5.2.2.1. deduction:

it is the process through which the conclusion is arrived at from a

general truth to the particular truth.

ex :

all women are capable of conception

jenilia is a woman

- jenilia is capable of conception .

5. 2 .2.2 induction

it is the process through which the conclusion is arrived at

from particular truth to the general truth.

ex:

The crow in chennai is black

the crow in america europe australia .. .. is black

- all crow are black.