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What Is Deductive Reasoning
What Is Deductive Reasoning
Deductive reasoning is a type of deduction used in science and in life. It is when you take two true
statements, or premises, to form a conclusion. For example, A is equal to B. B is also equal to C. Given
those two statements, you can conclude A is equal to C using deductive reasoning.
Well, if nothing else, those lessons were meant to stretch our powers of deductive reasoning. Remember, if a
= b and b = c, then a = c. Let's flesh that out with added examples:
All numbers ending in 0 or 5 are divisible by 5. The number 35 ends with a 5, so it must be divisible by 5.
All birds have feathers. All robins are birds. Therefore, robins have feathers.
It's dangerous to drive on icy streets. The streets are icy now, so it would be dangerous to drive on the
streets.
All cats have a keen sense of smell. Fluffy is a cat, so Fluffy has a keen sense of smell.
Cacti are plants, and all plants perform photosynthesis. Therefore, cacti perform photosynthesis.
Red meat has iron in it, and beef is red meat. Therefore, beef has iron in it.
Acute angles are less than 90 degrees. This angle is 40 degrees, so it must be an acute angle.
All noble gases are stable. Helium is a noble gas, so helium is stable.
Elephants have cells in their bodies, and all cells have DNA. Therefore, elephants have DNA.
All horses have manes. The Arabian is a horse; therefore, Arabians have manes.
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In each of these examples, the premises may very well be true, but the conclusions make invalid
assumptions. In these examples, a + b does not necessarily equal c. Rather, "c" is an overgeneralization.
Let's take the Tom Cruise example. Just because Tom Cruise is handsome, does that mean he must be an
actor? Who's to say all electricians or writers aren't pretty, too?
Let's take a look at a few examples of inductive reasoning. After we examine the inductive reasoning, we'll
flip it and see what it looks like in the form of deductive reasoning.
Inductive Reasoning: The first lipstick I pulled from my bag is red. The second lipstick I pulled from my
bag is red. Therefore, all the lipsticks in my bag are red.
Deductive Reasoning: The first lipstick I pulled from my bag is red. All lipsticks in my bag are red.
Therefore, the second lipstick I pull from my bag will be red, too.
Inductive Reasoning: My mother is Irish. She has blond hair. Therefore, everyone from Ireland has blond
hair.
Deductive Reasoning: My mother is Irish. Everyone from Ireland has blond hair. Therefore, my mother has
blond hair.
Inductive Reasoning: Most of our snowstorms come from the north. It's starting to snow. This snowstorm
must be coming from the north.
Deductive Reasoning: All of our snowstorms come from the north. It's starting to snow. Therefore, the
storm is coming from the north.
Inductive Reasoning: Maximilian is a shelter dog. He is happy. All shelter dogs are happy.
Deductive Reasoning: Maximillian is a shelter dog. All shelter dogs are happy. Therefore, he is happy.
Notice how each example of deductive reasoning is more sound (assuming the first two premises are true)?
In each instance, the inductive reasoning may be true. But, they're lacking enough evidence to be universally
true. Further samplings would be required.
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Abductive reasoning is when you take a set of observations and use a theory to explain them. This is very
similar to how doctors work on patients by taking symptoms to make a diagnosis.
Backward induction looks at the end result and considers the different decisions that lead to that conclusion.
It’s used by artificial intelligence to win games.
Critical thinking uses analysis and evidence to make an informed decision. It’s used daily to make decisions
and to analyze decisions in science, literature, etc.
That might be a road worth considering if you're ever tasked with writing an argumentative essay. Of course,
the goal is not to get into an argument but, rather, take a position and present evidence in support of your
claim. For more, enjoy these argumentative essay examples.