A.

Inference
1. Broad Meaning: “any process by which the mind proceeds from one or more propositions seen
to be implied in the former.”
2. Strict Meaning: the operation by which the mind gets new knowledge by drawing out the
implications of what it already knows. (The mind knows something before it could reason out).
3. “any series of propositions so arranged that the consequent flows from the antecedent.” The 3
essential constituents of Inference must be all present. (Antecedent + Consequent + Sequence)
B. Antecedent
The antecedent is the part of the inference from which the conclusion is drawn or deduced. The
antecedent may also be referred to as the premises. It is the starting point of reasoning.
C. Consequent
The consequent is the part of the inference, which signifies the conclusion or the new
knowledge, derived from the antecedent. The consequent may also be referred to as the
conclusion.
D. Sequence
The sequence is the necessary connection between the antecedent and the consequent.
Antecedent (Premises)
INFERENCE SEQUENCE
Consequent (Conclusion)
E. Argument
An argument is “any group of propositions of which one is claimed to follow from the others,
which are regarded as providing support or grounds for the truth of that one.” The group of
propositions becomes an argument if it follows a logical structure. It must have a conclusion and
a premise or premises.
For an inference to be valid there must be a logical sequence, i.e., a necessary connection must
exist. Analyze the examples that follow.
(Premise) Trees are green.
(Premise) Light is white.
(Conclusion) Therefore, I am a Lasallian.
This inference is invalid because there is no sequence. There is no reason how the consequent “I
am a Lasallian” can be inferred from the antecedent.
(Premise) It is daytime.
(Conclusion) therefore, the sun is shining brightly.

In the given example, the consequent does not flow from the antecedent. This inference is invalid
because even though it is daytime, it does not follow that the sun is always shining brightly (for
instance, during a cloudy day).
(Premise) Some men are rapists.
(Premise) The President is a man.
(Conclusion) so, the President is a rapist.

Again, there is no sequence in this inference; hence, it is invalid. Being a man does not
necessarily mean being a rapist.
In each of the given examples, there is no sequence; hence, all of them are invalid. Now, study
the examples that follow and take note of the sequence that makes each inference valid.

1. All students are learners.

Lasallians are students.
Thus, Lasallians are learners.

2. Tuberculosis is a disease.
Her father has tuberculosis.
Thus, her father has a disease.

3. No businessman is illiterate.
Lucio is a businessman.
Therefore, Lucio is not illiterate.

II. IDENTIFYING THE PREMISE AND THE CONCLUSION

An entire argument may be presented as single sentence, but often several sentences are used to
present it. Its conclusion may either precede or follow the premises, or it may come between two
of them.

The following are examples of arguments presented as a simple sentence. Take note of the
position of the underlined conclusions.
• He was absent because he was very ill.
• Since the weather is unfavorable, the picnic will be postponed.
• In view of the fact that her wallet was stolen, I conclude that he cannot promise to pay on
time.

The following are examples of arguments presented in multiple sentences. Take note of the
position of the underlined conclusions.
• Whatever is good is from God; but life is good; thus, life is from God.
• Several sophomores approached me to report errors in the checking of their papers. I may
infer that some students are honest. They even requested that points be deducted from their
scores.
• Drigo is not a president. This is so because no infant is a president, and Drigo is an infant.

Special terms functioning as premise-indicators or conclusion-indicators often one to identify

and distinguish the premises and the conclusions of an argument.

Examples of Conclusion-Indicators:
therefore, hence, thus, so, accordingly, in consequence, consequently, as a result, for this reason,
for these reasons, it follows that, we may infer, I conclude that, which shows that, which means
that, which entails that, which implies that, which allows us to infer that, which points to the
conclusion that, etc.

Examples of Premise-Indicators:
since, because, for, as, as indicated by, the reason is that, for the reason that, may be inferred
from, follows from, as shown by, may be derived from, may be deduced from, in view of the fact
that, etc.