Scientific induction is the establishment of a general real proposition, based on observation of particular instance, in reliance on the principle of the uniformity of nature and the law of causation.

The characteristics of scientific induction are as follows:

(i) Scientific Induction establishes general real propositions: A general proposition is one in which the predicate is affirmed or denied of an indefinite number of individuals. Again, a Real proposition does not merely analyse the connotation of a term but adds something new to our knowledge.

(ii) Scientific Induction is based on observation of facts: The general propositions established by Induction are based on an observation of particulars instances. For example – the general proposition “All men are mortal” is based on observation of particular cases of death of persons we have come across.

(iii) In scientific induction, there is an ‘Inductive leap’: ‘Inductive leap’ is the essence of Induction. ‘Inductive leap is the process from known to the unknown. If this characteristic be wanting the process can not be called Induction at all.

(iv) Scientific Induction is based on two presuppositions viz, the Law of causation and the Principle of the Uniformity of nature. The Law of Causation states that every event must have a cause. The principle of uniformity of nature states that under similar conditions, the same cause produces the same effect. These two fundamental principles are called the formal grounds of scientific induction.