In this class, we will learn what generalization/induction is, how it differs from deduction, why it is important, and learn a bit about how to do it well. Generalization is a critical skill in life and in science: we could not live well and we could not do science without it! It is something we all use in life -- we have to -- but something we do not always do right. And when we do it wrong, we get in trouble. 

In the study of logic, generalizations are universal or "for the most part" statements. Some right, some wrong, they are all over the place!
-All humans are mortal. 
-All planets move in elliptical orbits about the sun.
-All right triangles have sides that are in the relation a^2 + b^2 = c^2 (the Pythagorean Theorem). 
-All waiters/waitresses take orders and bring food in restaurants.
-No outdoor activity is safe.
-All outdoor activities are safe.
-No stranger can be trusted.
-All outsiders are dangerous.
-All red-heads are hot-tempered.
-All stereo typing is bad.
-"No one likes me."
-"Everyone likes me."
-All red meat is bad.
-All red meat is good. 
-When a mass of hot, moist air meets a mass of cold, dry air, rain forms.
-All humans should live a full, happy life.

As humans, we cannot get away from them.

Making good generalizations requires following certain rules of logic. We will introduce you to some of the rules of making good logical generalizations you can trust -- rules which allow you also to assess the generalizations and conclusions of other people and of scientists! (The topic has so much to cover, we could potentially cover different topics and different perspectives on the same topic every class.)

You need to know how to use induction well if you want to have a STEM career. You need to know how to use induction well if you want to live in the modern society we have, full of science and scientific claims all over the place and everyday. You need to know how to use induction well because it's an important aspect of making good decisions and taking wise actions. 

Our discussion will help you better understand how reason and logic work. It will cast light on the otherwise-mysterious functioning of our minds. It will give you some control over your thinking and make you more efficient at it -- just as a green belt or blue belt in martial arts can move more efficiently than a white belt; or a trained ballerina is more efficient and graceful than a person untrained in dance. 

We will use a combination of lecture, interactive discussion, Q&A, and in-class work. We will learn rules and general ideas about induction from specific examples. Be prepared to think, to learn, and to have new horizons open up.  Come prepared to listen, take notes, interact, and learn!

Note: this is a class on logic, so we need to be prepared to think about our thinking. And the material and methods could be taught to adults, business professionals, and scientists, too; it's not just easy stuff for kids. :)




(Image from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gerbrand_van_den_Eeckhout_003.jpg)