In order to know the meaning of the term inductivism, it is necessary, first of all, to discover its etymological origin. In this case, we can emphasize that it is a word that is formed from the union of several lexical components from Latin and Greek. We are referring to the following:
-The Latin word “inductivus”, which can be translated as “having the ability to persuade or move” and which is the result of the sum of these elements: the prefix “in-”, which means “inwards”; the verb “ducere”, which is synonymous with “guide”, and the suffix “-tivo”, which is used to indicate “active or passive relationship”.
-The Greek suffix “-ism”, which means “doctrine” or “system”.
Inductivism is a logical method that starts from particular statements to reach general conclusions . The inductive is done by induction : the act and the result of inducing.
To understand how inductivism works, therefore, we must know that the action of inducing consists of extracting, starting from particular experiences or observations, a general principle that is implicit in them. Inductivism is part of the so-called scientific methods , which are steps that are followed in an orderly manner to generate new knowledge.
At a general level, inductivism consists of four major stages . The facts must first be observed and recorded; then analyze and classify them. Thirdly, through an inductive derivation, a generalization is made, which must finally be contrasted.
It is considered that among the first figures who analyzed, studied, proposed and developed inductivism is the English writer and philosopher Francis Bacon (1561 – 1626), who is considered the father of scientific and philosophical empiricism.
The inductive method is based on the proposition of a conclusion that is general for all events of the same class. To reach this conclusion, multiple observations are developed.
Inductivism, in this way, goes from the particular to the general. The deductive method , on the other hand, takes the opposite path: from the general to the particular.
From inductivism we also have to establish that its conclusions are probable and that what it pursues is nothing other than creating new knowledge. Likewise, it is interesting to highlight the fact that it has been the most used method within experimental sciences for centuries. However, today it is used as part of the scientific method in general.
The deductive method, for its part, we have to indicate that it is widely used in mathematics and logic, that its conclusions are very rigorous and that, unlike inductivism, it does not generate new knowledge in itself.
Let's look at a simple example of the application of inductivism. If an observer notices that eagles are birds and fly, that condors are birds and fly, and that doves are birds and fly, the conclusion according to the inductive method can be that all birds fly . However, although the reasoning was correct, this conclusion is not true: penguins and ostriches are birds and do not fly.