What Is Necessary Inference?
Information can be conveyed in an “explicit” way or in a way that is “implicit.” Explicit means that nothing is implied; the subject is clearly expressed and fully stated. Implicit, on the other hand, means that something is not expressly stated; it is without detail, something that you imply instead of directly say. If a person takes what he hears, puts “two and two together,” and draws a conclusion it could be said that his conclusion is implied. Another word for “implicit” is “inference.” An inference is simply a conclusion that is reached from the premises. (The premises are the two’s in the two plus two.) More specifically, a necessary inference is one in which “a conclusion is drawn because the evidence demands it.” It is a conclusion that unavoidably follows from the premises. A conclusion must be NECESSARILY inferred. As stated, the evidence demands the conclusion! Necessary inference is not a hunch or a guess. Consider some examples from everyday life. Suppose that a person is
