Formulating a generalization in the law, that is, enumerating a series of tight holdings of cases (legal rules) to create a generalized legal precept (legal principle), is at best a logic of probabilities. We accept the result, not because it is an absolute truth, like a proposition in mathematics, but because it gives our results a certain hue of credibility. The process is designed to yield workable and tested premises, rather than truths.

Ruggero J. Aldisert, Agatha D. Aldisert, Logic for Lawyers- A Guide …, loc. 339