Inductive and Deductive Reasoning – Logical Reasoning
Inductive and deductive reasoning are two distinct modes of logical reasoning that people use to make sense of the world. Both are useful in different situations, but they have different strengths and limitations.
Inductive Reasoning:
Inductive reasoning is a type of reasoning that starts with specific observations and uses them to form a general conclusion. It is a bottom-up approach, where specific instances or examples are used to make a generalization. Inductive reasoning is used to make predictions, identify patterns, and make generalizations about a particular phenomenon. However, it is not always accurate, and the conclusions drawn may not always be true.
Example:
Every day for the past week, the sky has been cloudy. Therefore, it will probably be cloudy again tomorrow. This is an example of inductive reasoning. The reasoning is based on a specific observation over a limited period of time, and the conclusion drawn is a generalization based on those observations.
Deductive Reasoning:
Deductive reasoning is a type of reasoning that starts with a general principle or hypothesis and uses it to make specific predictions. It is a top-down approach, where general principles or theories are used to predict specific observations or outcomes. Deductive reasoning is commonly used in mathematics, logic, and science. It is more reliable than inductive reasoning because the conclusion is guaranteed to be true if the premises are true.
Example:
All humans are mortal. Socrates is a human. Therefore, Socrates is mortal. This is an example of deductive reasoning. The reasoning starts with a general principle (all humans are mortal) and uses it to make a specific prediction (Socrates is mortal) based on a specific observation (Socrates is a human). The conclusion is guaranteed to be true if the premises are true.
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Difference between Inductive and Deductive reasoning
Logical Reasoning –
Reasoning in artificial intelligence has two important forms, Inductive reasoning, and Deductive reasoning. Both reasoning forms have premises and conclusions, but both reasoning are contradictory to each other. Following is a list for comparison between inductive and deductive reasoning:
- Deductive reasoning uses available facts, information, or knowledge to deduce a valid conclusion, whereas inductive reasoning involves making a generalization from specific facts, and observations.
- Deductive reasoning uses a top-down approach, whereas inductive reasoning uses a bottom-up approach.
- Deductive reasoning moves from generalized statement to a valid conclusion, whereas Inductive reasoning moves from specific observation to a generalization.
- In deductive reasoning, the conclusions are certain, whereas, in Inductive reasoning, the conclusions are probabilistic.
- Deductive arguments can be valid or invalid, which means if premises are true, the conclusion must be true, whereas inductive argument can be strong or weak, which means conclusion may be false even if premises are true.
The differences between inductive and deductive can be explained using the below diagram on the basis of arguments:
Comparison Chart:
| Basis for comparison | Deductive Reasoning | Inductive Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Deductive reasoning is the form of valid reasoning, to deduce new information or conclusion from known related facts and information. | Inductive reasoning arrives at a conclusion by the process of generalization using specific facts or data. |
| Approach | Deductive reasoning follows a top-down approach. | Inductive reasoning follows a bottom-up approach. |
| Starts from | Deductive reasoning starts from Premises. | Inductive reasoning starts from the Conclusion. |
| Validity | In deductive reasoning conclusion must be true if the premises are true. | In inductive reasoning, the truth of premises does not guarantee the truth of conclusions. |
| Usage | Use of deductive reasoning is difficult, as we need facts which must be true. | Use of inductive reasoning is fast and easy, as we need evidence instead of true facts. We often use it in our daily life. |
| Process | Theory→ hypothesis→ patterns→confirmation. | Observations-→patterns→hypothesis→Theory. |
| Argument | In deductive reasoning, arguments may be valid or invalid. | In inductive reasoning, arguments may be weak or strong. |
| Structure | Deductive reasoning reaches from general facts to specific facts. | Inductive reasoning reaches from specific facts to general facts. |
