We learn most of what we know about the world from induction, if that  
is defined as extracting generalizations (rules) from experience. A  
prime example is how vocabulary is learned: the vast majority of  
words a child learns are learned inductively by observing the context  
of use. But we learn so many things this way: I recently learned by  
trial and error the "rule" of how many minutes it takes to ruin a raw  
egg in the microwave. A child learns that a tower of blocks can go  
only so high because very high ones keep toppling over.

But I have to admit the terminology confuses me. Sherlock Holmes  
"deduced" many of his conclusions regarding crimes by extracting  
information from evidence. Is this a different use of "deduce", or am  
I just hopelessly confused about the whole issue?

Dr. Johanna Rubba, Associate Professor, Linguistics
Linguistics Minor Advisor
English Department
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Tel.: 805.756.2184
Dept. Ofc. Tel.: 805.756.2596
Dept. Fax: 805.756.6374
URL: http://www.cla.calpoly.edu/~jrubba

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