THE INDUCTIVE OR INVERSE METHOD. 307 



Summary of the Theory of Inductive Inference. 



The theory of inductive inference adopted in this and 

 the previous chapter, was chiefly suggested by the study 

 of the Inverse Method of Probabilities, but it also bears 

 much resemblance to the so-called Deductive Method 

 described by Mr. J. S. Mill, in his well known System of 

 Logic Q/ Mr. Mill s views concerning the Deductive Method, 

 probably form the most original and valuable part of his 

 treatise, and I should have ascribed the doctrine entirely 

 to him, had I not found that the opinions put forward in 

 other parts of his work are entirely inconsistent with the 

 theory here upheld. As this subject is the most impor 

 tant and difficult one with which we have to deal, I will 

 try to remedy the imperfect manner in which I have 

 treated it, by giving a brief recapitulation of the views 

 adopted. 



All inductive reasoning is but an inverse application 

 of deductive reasoning. Being in possession of certain 

 particular facts or events expressed in propositions, we 

 imagine some more general proposition expressing the 

 existence of a law or cause ; and, deducing the particular 

 results of that supposed general proposition, we observe 

 whether they agree with the facts in question. Hypo 

 thesis is thus always employed, consciously or unconsci 

 ously. The sole conditions to which we need conform in 

 framing any hypothesis is, that we both have and exercise 

 the power of inferring deductively from the hypothesis, 

 to the particular logical combinations or results, which are 

 to be compared with the known facts. Thus there are 

 but three steps in the process of induction : 



(i) Framing of some hypothesis as to the character of 

 the general law. 



q Book iii. chap. u. 

 X 2 



