Inductive vs Deductive Reasoning Descriptions and examples Types

Inductive vs. Deductive Reasoning Descriptions and examples

Types of Reasoning • Deductive reasoning goes from general to specific • Inductive reasoning goes from specific to general

Deductive Reasoning • Deductive reasoning starts with a premise, which we accept to be true. Then, from that rule, we make a conclusion about something specific. • Example: • All turtles have shells • The animal I have captured is a turtle • I conclude that the animal in my bag has a shell

Deductive Reasoning • A conclusion reached with deductive reasoning is logically sound, and airtight, assuming the premise is true. • If a penny is a flat disc, copper in color and has a profile of Honest Abe on it, then I can be sure the penny in my pocket has those qualities.

Deductive Reasoning • The strength of deductive reasoning is that conclusions derived with it are fully certain. • The weakness, which was illustrated in the most recent example, is that no new information is added. • The fact that the penny in my pocket is a copper disc with Lincoln on it was clear from the initial data, so the conclusion hasn't added any new information.

Inductive Reasoning • Inductive reasoning is making a conclusion based on a set of experiences or data. If I observe that something is true many times, concluding that it will be true in all instances is a use of inductive reasoning. • Example: • All sheep that I've seen are white • All sheep must be white

Inductive Reasoning • The strength of inductive reasoning is that new information came be stated. • The weakness is that the new information cannot be proven.

Deductive Reasoning • All dogs are mammals and mammals have kidneys. • Therefore your dog has kidneys.

Deductive Reasoning • All squares are rectangles, and all rectangles have four sides. • All squares have four sides.

Deductive Reasoning • All chemists are smart if chemists are scientists and all scientists are smart.

Inductive Reasoning • All swans we have seen have been white; therefore all swans are white.

Inductive Reasoning • All swans we have seen have been white; therefore the next swan we see will be white.

Inductive Reasoning • All known planets travel about the sun in ellipitical orbits; therefore all planets travel about the sun in ellipitical orbits.

Deductive or Inductive? • Since all men are mortal, and Socrates is a man, Socrates is mortal.

DEDUCTIVE

Deductive or Inductive? • Exploration of the surface of Mars has produced some surprising facts. Therefore exploration of the surface of Jupiter will produce some surprising facts.

INDUCTIVE

Deductive or Inductive? • Since Chris is a good athlete, Chris's sister must be a good athlete also.

INDUCTIVE

Deductive or Inductive? • The sun is a star; the sun has planets; therefore some stars have planets.

DEDUCTIVE