abduction

alien

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kidnapping

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adoption

is a scientific methodology similar to comparative anatomy which emphasizes patterns in relationships.

Abduction. Used by Bateson to refer to a third scientific methodology (along with induction and deduction) which was central to his own holistic and qualitative approach. Refers to a method of comparing patterns of relationship, and their symmetry or asymmetry (as in, for example, comparative anatomy), especially in complex organic (or mental) systems. The term was originally coined by American Philosopher/Logician Charles Sanders Peirce, who used it to refer to the process by which scientific hypotheses are generated. (wiki)

is a style of reasoning that moves not from the particular to the general (i.e. induction) nor from the general to the particular (I.E. Deduction) but from premises which may materialize in the future.

While induction is reasoning by inference from particulars toward general conclusions, and deduction the drawing of conclusions from known principles or theories, abduction is reasoning from premises that may materialize in the future'(Helmreich 2006).

abduction, n.Definitions

abduction