Inference is a logical conclusion, which is an integral part of thinking . Conclusions are built on the basis of concepts and judgments, arising from the underlying assumptions and generating new judgments that may be true or false. There are many kinds of inferences that we use to a greater or lesser extent depending on the type of occupation. Known for his sly mind, the hero of Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes, for example, was a vivid supporter of deductive conclusions, which we will also talk about.
Conditional Inferences
A characteristic feature of conditional conclusions is the presence of a bundle of "if ..., then ...". Conditional conclusions are an example of mediated thinking, which is based on the presence of premises - conditional propositions. For example: "If the harvest is successful, the cost of production will go down."
Inductive reasoning
Induction is a logical conclusion, which is formed from the particular to the general. Inductive reasoning is a demonstration of the connection of things in nature. They are not based strictly on logic , but rather grow from the knowledge of man in other areas - mathematics, physics, psychology. Induction is, first of all, experience and previously accumulated knowledge.
Separative Inference
Separate reasoning is a subset of deductive reasoning. A feature of this type of thinking is the presence of one or more separative judgments. A typical bundle of these conclusions is "either ... or ...".
Separate conclusions can be pure, or categorical.
Pure contain an affirmative division - "The bands of life can be either white or black."
Categorical separative conclusions are denial. Here is a very handy example of the conversation between Sherlock Holmes and Watson in the story "Motley Ribbon":
"It is impossible to penetrate the room through either the door or the window."