1.

Inductive Reasoning
Inductive reasoning is reasoning where the premises support the conclusion. The conclusion is the
hypothesis, or probable. This means that the conclusion is the part of reasoning that inductive reasoning is
trying to prove. Inductive reasoning is also referred to as 'cause and effect reasoning' or 'bottom-up
reasoning' because it seeks to prove a conclusion first. This is usually derived from specific instances to
develop a general conclusion.
Kevin and Andrew are now arguing about math. Kevin says that all big brothers are good at math. Andrew is
an only child, but he's pretty sure that this argument cannot be valid.
Kevin makes a conclusion based on the following premises: 'My older brother is good at math. My friend's
older brother is good at math. My neighbor's big brother is a math tutor. Therefore, all older brothers are
good at math.'
You've probably heard people use this type of reasoning in life. We know this can't be true. You probably
know that being an older brother doesn't inherently make you good at math. What Kevin has done is made a
generalized conclusion: all older brothers are good at math based on three premises of specific instances:
Mine, my friend's and my neighbor's older brother are all good at math. These specific instances are not
representative of the entire population of older brothers. Because inductive reasoning is based on specific
instances, it can often produce weak and invalid arguments.
You can remember inductive reasoning like this: inductive reasoning is bottom-up reasoning; it starts with a
probable conclusion and induces premises.
Now let's talk about deductive reasoning.

Deductive Reasoning
Deductive reasoning is reasoning where true premises develop a true and valid conclusion. In the case of
deductive reasoning, the conclusion must be true if the premises are also true. Deductive reasoning uses
general principles to create a specific conclusion. Deductive reasoning is also known as 'top-down
reasoning' because it goes from general and works its way down more specific.
For example, 'All cars have engines. I have a car. Therefore, my car has an engine.'
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2.

Deductive Reasoning vs. Inductive Reasoning

By Alina Bradford July 25, 2017 Human Nature

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During the scientific process, deductive reasoning is used to reach a logical true conclusion. Another
type of reasoning, inductive, is also used. Often, people confuse deductive reasoning with inductive
reasoning, and vice versa. It is important to learn the meaning of each type of reasoning so that proper
logic can be identified.

Deductive reasoning
Deductive reasoning is a basic form of valid reasoning. Deductive reasoning, or deduction, starts out
with a general statement, or hypothesis, and examines the possibilities to reach a specific, logical
conclusion, according to California State University. The scientific method uses deduction to test
hypotheses and theories. "In deductive inference, we hold a theory and based on it we make a prediction
of its consequences. That is, we predict what the observations should be if the theory were correct. We
go from the general — the theory — to the specific — the observations," said Dr. Sylvia Wassertheil-
Smoller, a researcher and professor emerita at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
Deductive reasoning usually follows steps. First, there is a premise, then a second premise, and finally
an inference. A common form of deductive reasoning is the syllogism, in which two statements — a
major premise and a minor premise — reach a logical conclusion. For example, the premise "Every A is
B" could be followed by another premise, "This C is A." Those statements would lead to the conclusion
"This C is B." Syllogisms are considered a good way to test deductive reasoning to make sure the
argument is valid.

For example, "All men are mortal. Harold is a man. Therefore, Harold is mortal." For deductive
reasoning to be sound, the hypothesis must be correct. It is assumed that the premises, "All men are
mortal" and "Harold is a man" are true. Therefore, the conclusion is logical and true. In deductive
reasoning, if something is true of a class of things in general, it is also true for all members of that class.

According to California State University, deductive inference conclusions are certain provided the
premises are true. It's possible to come to a logical conclusion even if the generalization is not true. If
the generalization is wrong, the conclusion may be logical, but it may also be untrue. For example, the
argument, "All bald men are grandfathers. Harold is bald. Therefore, Harold is a grandfather," is valid
logically but it is untrue because the original statement is false.

Inductive reasoning
Inductive reasoning is the opposite of deductive reasoning. Inductive reasoning makes broad
generalizations from specific observations. Basically, there is data, then conclusions are drawn from the
data. This is called inductive logic, according to Utah State University.
"In inductive inference, we go from the specific to the general. We make many observations, discern a
pattern, make a generalization, and infer an explanation or a theory," Wassertheil-Smoller told Live
Science. "In science, there is a constant interplay between inductive inference (based on observations)
and deductive inference (based on theory), until we get closer and closer to the 'truth,' which we can
only approach but not ascertain with complete certainty."

An example of inductive logic is, "The coin I pulled from the bag is a penny. That coin is a penny. A
third coin from the bag is a penny. Therefore, all the coins in the bag are pennies."
Even if all of the premises are true in a statement, inductive reasoning allows for the conclusion to be
false. Here's an example: "Harold is a grandfather. Harold is bald. Therefore, all grandfathers are bald."
The conclusion does not follow logically from the statements.

Inductive reasoning has its place in the scientific method. Scientists use it to
form hypotheses and theories. Deductive reasoning allows them to apply the theories to specific
situations.
Abductive reasoning
Another form of scientific reasoning that doesn't fit in with inductive or deductive reasoning is
abductive. Abductive reasoning usually starts with an incomplete set of observations and proceeds to the
likeliest possible explanation for the group of observations, according to Butte College. It is based on
making and testing hypotheses using the best information available. It often entails making an educated
guess after observing a phenomenon for which there is no clear explanation.

For example, a person walks into their living room and finds torn up papers all over the floor. The
person's dog has been alone in the room all day. The person concludes that the dog tore up the papers
because it is the most likely scenario. Now, the person's sister may have brought by his niece and she
may have torn up the papers, or it may have been done by the landlord, but the dog theory is the more
likely conclusion.

Abductive reasoning is useful for forming hypotheses to be tested. Abductive reasoning is often used by
doctors who make a diagnosis based on test results and by jurors who make decisions based on the
evidence presented to them.

3.
Difference Between Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
Last updated on February 3, 2018 by Surbhi S

The process of thinking about something, in a rational manner, so as to draw valid

conclusions, is known as Reasoning. It is a daily activity that we use to make
decisions, which involves the construction of thoughts and converting them into a
proposition to give reasons on why we have opted for a particular alternative over
the other.Reasoning (logic) can take two forms – inductive reasoning or deductive
reasoning. The inductive reasoning follows a particular flow or behaviour so as to
make inferences

Conversely, deductive reasoning uses available information, facts or premises to

arrive at a conclusion. These two logics are exactly opposite to each other. Still, they
are often juxtaposed due to lack of adequate information. In this article, we are
going to tell you the basic differences between inductive and deductive reasoning,
which will help you to understand them better.

Content: Inductive Reasoning Vs Deductive Reasoning

 1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Conclusion

Comparison Chart

BASIS FOR
INDUCTIVE REASONING DEDUCTIVE REASONING
COMPARISON

Meaning Inductive Reasoning connotes the Deductive reasoning is the fundamental

argument in which the premises give form of valid reasoning, wherein the
reasons in support of the probable truth premises give guarantee of the truth of
of the conjecture. conjecture.

Approach Bottom-up approach Top-down approach

Starting point Conclusion Premises

Based on Patterns or trend Facts, truths and rules

Process Observation > Pattern > Tentative Theory > Hypothesis > Observation >
Hypothesis > Theory Confirmation

Argument May or may not be strong. May or may not be valid.

Structure Goes from specific to general Goes from general to specific

Draws Probability Certainity

inferences with

4.
Definition of Inductive Reasoning

In research, inductive reasoning alludes to the logical process, in which specific instances or situations
are observed or analysed to establish general principles. In this process, the multiple propositions are
believed to provide strong evidence, for the truth of the conclusion. It is used to develop an
understanding, on the basis of observing regularities, to ascertain how something works.
These are uncertain arguments; that describes the extent to which the conclusions drawn on the basis
of premises, are credible.

In inductive reasoning, there are certain possibilities that the conclusion drawn can be false, even if the
all the assumptions are true. The reasoning vests on experience and observations that support the
apparent truth of the conclusion. Further, the argument can be strong or weak, as it only describes the
likelihood of the inference, to be true.

Definition of Deductive Reasoning

Deductive Reasoning means a form of logic in which specific inferences are drawn from multiple
premises (general statements). It establishes the relationship between the proposition and conclusion.
When all the proposed statements are true, then the rules of deduction are applied and the result
obtained is inevitably true.

Deductive logic is based on the fundamental law of reasoning, i.e. if X then Y. It implies the direct
application of available information or facts, to come up with new information or facts. In this, the
researcher takes into account a theory and generates a hypothesis, which can be tested, after that the
observation are recorded, which leads to particular data, which is nothing but the confirmation of
validity.

Key Differences Between Inductive and Deductive Reasoning

The points provided below, clarifies the difference between inductive and deductive reasoning in detail:

1. The argument in which the premises give reasons in support of the probable truth of the
conjecture is inductive reasoning. The elementary form of valid reasoning, wherein the
proposition provide the guarantee of the truth of conjecture, is deductive reasoning.
2. While inductive reasoning uses the bottom-up approach, deductive reasoning uses a top-down
approach.
3. The initial point of inductive reasoning is the conclusion. On the other hand, deductive
reasoning starts with premises.
4. The basis of inductive reasoning is behaviour or pattern. Conversely, deductive reasoning
depends on facts and rules.
5. Inductive reasoning begins with a small observation, that determines the pattern and develops a
theory by working on related issues and establish the hypothesis. In contrast, deductive
reasoning begins with a general statement, i.e. theory which is turned to the hypothesis, and
then some evidence or observations are examined to reach the final conclusion.
6. In inductive reasoning, the argument supporting the conclusion, may or may not be strong. On
the contrary, in deductive reasoning, the argument can be proved valid or invalid.
7. Inductive reasoning moves from specific to general. Unlike, deductive reasoning moves from
general to particular.
8. In inductive reasoning, the inferences drawn are probabilistic. As opposed, in deductive
reasoning, the generalisation made are necessarily true, if the premises are correct.

Conclusion

To sum up, inductive and deductive reasoning are the two kinds of logic, which are used in the field of
research to develop the hypothesis, so as to arrive at a conclusion, on the basis of information, which is
believed to be true. Inductive reasoning considers events for making the generalization. In contrast,
deductive reasoning takes general statements as a base to arrive at an particular conclusion.