Mill's Canon's of Induction document

1. C. S. I
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
L. M. S COLLEGE, PARASSALA
ONLINE ASSIGNMENT
SEMESTER – I
2020 – 2022
NAME OF STUDENT : LIKHITHA A L
OPTIONAL SUBJECT : PHYSICAL SCIENCE
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CERTIFIED THAT THIS IS A BONAFIDE RECORD
Member of the faculty Principal
Place : Parassala Place : Parassala
Date : ………………. Date :
………………...

2. MILL’S CANONS OF INDUCTION
Inductionisaccepting a universal truth if it isfound true of any
particular case and again true of a reasonable number of
similar cases. Then it is presumed that it will be true for all
cases. A formula or generalisation is thus arrived at through a
convincing process of reasoning made on the basis of a
number of particular cases that exhibit similarly or
commonality inductive inferences are based on two
assumptions.
i. The low of uniformity of nature: A phenomenon that
takes place in certain circumstances will repeat itself
whenever the same circumstances occur.
ii. The law of causation: Every phenomenon has a cause or
a set of causes that is invariably connected with it. In
other words, nothing takes place in the world by sheer
chance.
Often it is difficult to decide allthe possible causes and to find
conclusivereasons. In complex cases where there is a plurality
of causes, it is difficult to decide which is cause and which is
effect. In such cases we try to establish the causal relation by
adopting one of the following methods known as “Mill’s
canons of induction”.

3. MILLS FIVE CANONS OF INDUCTION
Mill’s five canons are,
1. The method of agreement.
2. The method of difference.
3. The joint method.
4. The method of residue.
5. The method of concomitant variations.

4. 1. Method of agreement
If, in every observed instance of a phenomena
only one factor of circumstance is probably the cause of that
phenomena.
Symbolically,
𝑎𝑏𝑐𝑑
𝑝𝑞𝑟𝑠
;
𝑏𝑐𝑒𝑓
𝑞𝑟𝑡𝑥
;
𝑐𝑒𝑓𝑔
𝑥𝑝𝑟𝑦
; therefor
𝑐
𝑟
The conclution obtained by this method is not decisive.
Unless a number of varied instances are considered and all
other causal circumstance eliminated theb method leads to
absured inference.
For example, If dew is found deposited on a no.of surfaces
which are different in all respects expect in that they are all a
lower temperature than the surrounding atmosphere then
that lower temperature is condition of deposition of dew.

5. 2. Method of difference
When ever the elimination of a single circumstance is
accompanied by the non occurance of a phenomenon that
circumstance is probably related to its causation.
The method of difference is very largely used in
experimentalscience. Eachof ouractivitiesproduces an effect
and when the effect is absent in the absence of the activity,
the activity is considered the cause of the effect. In this
method we compare two instances, one in which the
phenomenon occurs and other in which it does not.
Symbolically,
 Positive instance Negative instance
𝑎𝑏𝑐𝑑
𝑝𝑞𝑟𝑠
𝑎𝑏𝑐−
𝑝𝑞𝑟−
therefore
𝑑
𝑠
For example : If a surface exposed to air is dry at the
atmospheric temperature and it become went on lowering its
temperature other conditions remaining unaltered we might
reasonablyconcludethatloweringof temperatureis thecause
of wetness.

6. 3.The joint method
This is a combination of the method of agreement and
differences. The suggestion of causation arrived at by the
method of agreement is strengthened by the method of
difference the application of this joint method leads to fairly
valid conclusions.
4.The method of residue
The part of a complex phenomenon is known to be
causally related to certain operating circumstances, the
residual part of the phenomenon must be due to the rest of
the relevantcircumstances (known or unknown). Thismethod
does not necessarily determine what the cause is. But it helps
to limit the field of enquiry so as to make it easier to hit on a
hypothesis that could be tested out.

7. 5.The method of concomitant variations
If two phenomena vary concomitantly while all other
relevant circumstances remain unchanged, they must be
causally related.
Symbolically,
𝑎𝑏𝑐𝑑1
𝑝𝑞𝑟𝑠1
;
𝑎𝑏𝑐𝑑2
𝑝𝑞𝑟𝑠2
; there for
𝑑
𝑠
The concomitant variation may be of two types direct and
inverse. When the antecedent and concequences increases
anddecreases together itissaid tobe direct when oneof them
increases as the other decreases the variation is inverse.
For example gravitation between two bodies varies directly
with the masses and inversely with the distance from each
other.
The method of inductionsuggested by Millare applicable
only to causes that can be perceived by the senses. They can
not be applied to more hidden laws which really express the
most fundamental relations of nature.

8. REFERENCES
1. THE METHODOLOGY OF TEACHING SCIENCE
- Pro.K SIVARAJAN
2. MODERN TRENDS IN SCIENCE EDUCATION
- Dr.T T JOSEPH
3. MODERM SCIENCE TEACHING
- R C SHARMA