The Commens Dictionary

Quote from ‘On a New List of Categories’

Term: 
Induction
Quote: 

In an argument, the premises form a representation of the conclusion, because they indicate the interpretant of the argument, or representation representing it to represent its object. The premises may afford a likeness, index, or symbol of the conclusion. In deductive argument, the conclusion is represented by the premises as by a general sign under which it is contained. In hypotheses, something like the conclusion is proved, that is, the premises form a likeness of the conclusion. [—]
That it is different with induction another example will show.

    SI, SII, SIII, and SIV are taken as samples of the collection M;
    SI, SII, SIII, and SIV are P:
    .·. All M is P.

Hence the first premise amounts to saying that “SI, SII, SIII, and SIV” is an index of M. Hence the premises are an index of the conclusion.

Source: 
Peirce, Charles S. (1867). On a New List of Categories
Date: 
1867
References: 
W 2:58; CP 1.559
Citation: 
‘Induction’ (pub. 28.01.13-20:58). Quote in M. Bergman & S. Paavola (Eds.), The Commens Dictionary: Peirce's Terms in His Own Words. New Edition. Retrieved from http://www.commens.org/dictionary/entry/quote-new-list-categories-5.
Posted: 
Jan 28, 2013, 20:58 by Sami Paavola
Last revised: 
Jan 07, 2014, 01:00 by Commens Admin