enductions

Enduction is a term occasionally used in philosophy of logic to describe a form of inference that lies between induction and deduction. In enductive reasoning, a general principle is inferred from a body of observations but under structured constraints that emphasize deductive coherence and falsifiability rather than a simple pattern generalization. The idea is to produce generalizations that can be tested by deduction and refuted by counterexamples, blending empirical input with logical structure.

Origin and usage: The term appears in a handful of late 19th- and early 20th-century discussions. It has since largely fallen out of standard terminologies, and in contemporary literature enduction is often treated as historical or fringe terminology rather than a formal, widely used category.

Process: Enductive reasoning typically starts with observed instances, formulates tentative generalizations, and then subjects those generalizations to further empirical testing. The process emphasizes coherence with existing theories and the potential for deductive consequences, rather than merely projecting patterns from data.

Relation to other forms: Enduction is sometimes contrasted with induction (rule-generalization from many cases) and with deduction (deriving specific conclusions from general laws). It is also compared with abduction in that it involves seeking explanatory generalizations, but with a more explicit deductive check.

Limitations: Critics note that enduction lacks a widely accepted formal framework and that its practical usefulness is limited by vagueness and inconsistent usage.

See also: Induction, Deduction, Abduction, Inference.