inductivism
|in-duc-tiv-ism|
/ɪnˈdʌktɪvɪzəm/
reasoning from particulars to general
Etymology
'inductivism' is formed in modern English from the adjective 'inductive' + the suffix '-ism' (denoting a doctrine or system); 'inductive' ultimately traces back to Latin 'inducere' meaning 'to lead in' or 'bring into'.
'inductivism' developed from French and English formations: Latin 'inducere' produced Medieval Latin/Old French derivatives (e.g. Medieval Latin 'inductivus' / French 'inductif'), which entered English as 'inductive'; the English noun 'inductivism' was later formed by adding '-ism' to denote the doctrine or practice.
Initially rooted in the Latin sense of 'leading in' or 'bringing into', the term evolved to denote a method or doctrine of reasoning that 'leads' from particular observations to general conclusions; it now specifically names the philosophical stance prioritizing induction as the basis of knowledge.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a philosophical doctrine or approach that holds that knowledge, especially scientific knowledge, is derived from empirical observation and inductive reasoning (moving from particular observations to general conclusions).
Inductivism held that repeated observations could justify general scientific laws.
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Noun 2
the methodological stance in the philosophy of science that emphasizes data collection and generalization from observations as the primary route to scientific theory (often contrasted with methods that prioritize hypothesis testing or deduction).
Debates between inductivism and hypothetico-deductivism shaped 20th-century philosophy of science.
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Last updated: 2025/12/27 21:28