Statistical Syllogism
| A Statistical Syllogism is a non-deductive syllogism. It argues, using inductive reasoning, from a generalization true for the most part to a particular case. | |
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| wikipedia:: Statistical syllogism |
Syllogism that uses Inductive Logic
Statistical syllogisms may use qualifying words like "most", "frequently", "almost never", "rarely", etc., or may have a statistical generalization as one or both of their premises.
For example:
Almost all people are taller than 26 inches
Gareth is a person
Therefore, Gareth is taller than 26 inches
Premise 1 (the major premise) is a generalization, and the argument attempts to draw a conclusion from that generalization. In contrast to a deductive syllogism, the premises logically support or confirm the conclusion rather than strictly implying it: it is possible for the premises to be true and the conclusion false, but it is not likely.General form:
X proportion of F are G
I is an F
I is a G
In the abstract form above, F is called the "reference class" and G is the "attribute class" and I is the individual object. So, in the earlier example, "(things that are) taller than 26 inches" is the attribute class and "people" is the reference class.