Inductive And Deductive Reasoning: What It Is?

In our day to day life, we need to reason out many things. Often the premises are given to us, from which we need to reach a conclusion. This ‘reasoning’ or the ‘argument,’ which is an integral part of human nature and thinking process, can be divided mainly into two types, Inductive and deductive reasoning.

Both these approaches of coming to a conclusion follow a logical path that is different, rather almost opposite from each other. Whatever their approach, in theory of logic, inductive and deductive reasoning methods are considered very scientific and systematic.

We use both these approaches in our thinking process, many times without even knowing whether we are adapting to inductive or deductive reasoning. Though, it does not make any difference to most of us as we have our preset methods of coming to a conclusion, but their understanding will certainly help us to apply appropriate approach whenever and wherever needed, especially during testing evidences and reaching logically correct derivations. By understanding inductive and deductive reasoning we can evaluate the information at hand to derive specific conclusion that are presumably proper, based on given assumptions.

Inductive Reasoning

We resort to inductive reasoning when we want to make a sensible outcome from our observations. The best example of inductive reasoning is set by Sir Isaac Newton who reasoned the presence of gravity from an apple that fell down. In this kind of reasoning, the inductive method creates definite conclusions based on the observation of the available facts by generalizing the assumptions. This actually leads to generalization of an outcome from the given facts.

The main drawback of inductive reasoning could be that the conclusions drawn may not be true and, at the same time, the application of logic may be just partial but still may maintain its validity.

Inductive reasoning is generally deriving general from the specific. It is informally called as ‘bottom up approach.’ Inductive reasoning is basically more open-ended and exploratory, especially in the initial stages of its application. To put it in simple words, inductive reasoning is the process of reaching a conclusion from the observations.

The argument is said to be inductive if the person applying the argument does not think that the truth of the premises are sufficient to establishes the trueness of the conclusion; but nonetheless believes that their truth provides good reason to ascertain that the conclusion is true.

Deductive Reasoning

Contrary to the inductive reasoning, deductive reasoning involves processing from general premises to specific conclusions by working through a series of reasonable steps. In this method of reasoning all possible assumptions are considered, put to logical consequences and the most plausible conclusion is deducted.

The deductive reasoning in its entirety is based on a few premises. This helps in reaching more definite and realistic conclusions. The applied logic reaches more certain deductions that cannot be rejected in general.

The deductive reasoning approach is informally called as a ‘top down approach’ as it involves deriving down a specific from the general. In short, deductive reasoning is the process of reasoning out a conclusion from the known facts.

Deductive reasoning narrows down as it furthers process and is concerned with testing or confirming assumptions. The reasoning is deductive if the person applying it believes that the truth of the premises is sufficient to establish the trueness of the conclusion due to definite or logically correct entailment.

So, what’s the difference?

Many social researches involve both inductive and deductive reasoning processes simultaneously in a project or in particular case. It is indeed difficult for a common man to understand precisely which reasoning is applied in given case. The line of difference between these two could be very thin and ambiguous.

The difference between inductive and deductive arguments involves the strength of evidence in question. The difference does lie entirely on the content or subject matter of the argument.

The difference between the inductive and deductive arguments is of more importance to the scholars of reasoning and argumentative sciences. For a common man, it is better to not fall into the confusion if you do not want to. Apply common sense and be happy. But do not forget that understanding inductive and deductive reasoning will always improve your decision making abilities.

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