Generalised Inference and Inferential Modelling

The authors argue for a generalisation of inference f rom the standard account in terms of truth preservation to one which coun tenances p r e s e r v a t i o n o f o the r desirable metalinguistic properties. The development is partly historical and partly a n a l y t i c . A r e l a t i o n a l a c c o u n t o f preservation is then presented and from this the two notions of inferential structure and in ferent ia l model are der ived. To il lustrate the generality of the relational conception of inference, we show how such structures and models can be realised in the development of a legal advisory