Deductive reasoning
Deductive reasoning is a type of reasoning in which a particular fact is deduced by applying a general law to another particular fact or case.[2]
Specifically, deductive reasoning is a logical reasoning process "that starts with general statements and moves towards specific, certain conclusions. It's a "top-down" approach where, if the initial premises are true, the conclusion must also be true. This process is often used in mathematics, computer programming, and various problem-solving scenarios.[3]
Deductive logic is characterized by certainty: in a valid argument, when the premises are true, the conclusion must be true. Take a classic argument of deductive logic:
- P1: All men are mortal
- P2: Socrates is a man.
- C: Socrates is mortal.
The conclusion is "contained" in the premises. In this sense the conclusion can be said to "follow" from the premises. The conclusion, "Socrates is mortal", is also less informative than the premises, which imply not just that Socrates is mortal but that all men are also mortal. As a result, deductive logic is not thought to add to knowledge, merely to clarify it.
Pros and cons of deductive reasoning
- The Pros And Cons Of Deduction
- Types Of Reasoning-Advantages, Disadvantages And Examples (Covers deductive/inductive/abductive reasoning)
See also
External links
- Deductive, inductive and abductive reasoning, Butte College
- What Is Deductive Reasoning? | Explanation & Examples
- An overview of deductive reasoning
References
- ↑ Detectives use deductive reasoning
- ↑ Meyer, Stephen C. (2008). Signature in the Cell. New York: HarperOne, 153. ISBN 978-0-06-147279-2.
- ↑ How does deductive reasoning work?
