Reasoning is a cognitive function that helps us to understand things arround us by finding interconnections between things you observe around you. Abductive, analogical, cause and effect deductive and inductive reasoning are the major types I’m explaining through this article.
Understanding types of reasoning — deductive and inductive reasoning
Reasoning is a mental process of finding or understanding relations and connections of things or events in sequential order to deduce conclusions.
As per the “Positivism” philosophy, Universe is an orderly place. There is nothing like random. So, it is possible to find out relations, connections and patterns among the world you live in.
Understandably, mere isolated single item, thing, or event can’t make sense in itself. To understand thoroughly the totality of thing in question, its study in relations with other items is utmost important.
Role and Importance of reasoning in life
In this way, reasoning helps us to get complete sense of thing in relations to other and reach at the conclusions. It not only helps to understand things properly but also empower us to apply these things in the real world experience.
Comparatively, unlike to rote learning, reasoning empowers individual to apply mind to explore knowledge instead to memorize. This mental capability is the cornerstone for both conceptual and empirical research at the higher level.
Abductive, deductive, and inductive reasoning processes
Based on different approaches to draw conclusions, reasoning can be classified as,
- Deductive reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Abductive reasoning
- Analogical reasoning
- Cause and effect reasoning
Practically, deductive, inductive, and abductive reasoning are the types of reasoning we use mostly in our daily interactions. Deductive reasoning helps to derive confirm conclusions with top-down approach.
Whereas, inductive reasoning we use to derive probable conclusions instead conclusive. Abductive reasoning has limited applicability and it is limited to medical domain.
A.Explanation of Deductive reasoning — meaning, examples, usages
In deductive reasoning, conclusions are derived from premises instead of observations. Here, logic is the means and ways that binds conclusion with premises properly.
Whether the derived conclusions are valid or sound depends upon the truthfulness and rules of logic in the given argument.
Explaining Deductive Reasoning
“Deductive Reasoning”, is a form of mental process in which definite or confirm conclusions are derived from assumed premises.
In this reasoning, there is no chance for probability but certainty. Conclusions reached by this means either be certain or false. In this case, if the given premises are true, it is impossible to derive false conclusion.
In layman’s language, guess employed by the means of deduction on the bases of premises always lead to certain conclusions.
- A = C
- B = A
- Therefore, B = C.
- In India, all peninsular rivers are seasonal. (A = rivers, C = seasonal)
- Godavari is a peninsular river. (B = Godavari, A = peninsular river)
- Therefore, Godavari river is seasonal. (B = Godavari, C = seasonal)
So, it looks like, ” In India, all peninsular rivers are seasonal. Among them, Godavari river is also a peninsular. So, it is impossible to prove that Godavari river is perennial but seasonal.
The above example of deductive reasoning is both valid and sound.
Structure of deductive reasoning
Here, river is a class of geographical features. And, Godavari is a single river among all. So, rule of all is applicable for one. Hence, this is logically valid deductive argument.
In other words, deductive reasoning includes a general but universal statement, a well recognised particular example, and final conclusion.
Premises – key elements for analysing deduction
In simple terms, premises are certain general ideas including recognised rules, earlier theories and laws that are used as foundation to infer definite conclusions.
1.All peninsular rivers are seasonal.
2.And, Godavari is a peninsular river. These are premises.
3.Hence, “Godavari is a seasonal river”, is a certain conclusion based on above premises.
Unlike inductive reasoning, in such reasoning, it is imperative to follow conclusions form one or more premises.
B.Understanding Inductive reasoning — meaning, examples and application
Unlike deductive reasoning, “Inductive Reasoning” is a specific type of reasoning in which conclusions reached by repeated observations, patterns, and connections.
Structurally, this type of reasoning includes three assertive statements – two premises and one derived conclusion. Precisely, inductive reasoning doesn’t support definite conclusions.
A. Elements of inductive method
- Universal statement – major claim
- Supporting statements – minor claims
- Concluding claim – generalizations
Instead, it is used to derive probably conclusions. And, the degree of probability depends upon the quality and quantity of acquired data by repeated observations, patterns and connections.
B.Examples of inductive reasoning
- Every Christmas, company offers discounts for customers.
- Last year, on Christmas, I purchased a bicycle.
- Tomorrow is Christmas.
- Likely, company may continue its earlier incentives.
Now, let’s see types of inductive reasoning in detail.
Major types of inductive reasoning — causal, statistical, predicative analogical nductive reasoning
Inductive reasoning or we also call it as “Bottom-up” approach reasoning as it follows particular to general approach.
Inductive reasoning is classified as Causal, Statistical, Predictive, and Analogical based on the approaches of reasoning.
1.Causal inductive reasoning
In causal induction, inductive reasoning used to draw causal link between two premises and conclusions reached. It looks similar to cause effect reasoning.
- I experience dizziness whenever I forget to breakfast in the early morning.
- Yesterday, I took it on the right time.
- Tomorrow, the chance of breakfast would be less.
- Probably, I may be victim of weakness tomorrow.
2.Statistical inductive reasoning
Statistical induction involves larger generalization with certain statistical data. Simply, certain sample of statistical data is used to generalize bigger phenomenon.
a) India receives 80 percent of it’s rain from monsoonal climate.
b) Kerala State receives highest rain; whereas, Rajasthan least.
c) Possibly, both Kerala and Rajasthan receives most of the rain from monsoonal climate.
3.Predictive inductive reasoning
In case of predictive induction, future prediction is made based on certain past data. While observing such things, confirm patterns and connections need to be understood to jump in the future prediction.
4.Analogical inductive reasoning
Unlike earlier reasoning, when the conclusion is derived by inferring similar premises, it is called analogical induction. In this method, two similar patterns are considered to jump on the similar third one.
- Tech-savvy students generally opt for engineering field.
- Harry and David are fond of technology and pursuing engineering degree.
- Mike is a 10th class student addicted of mobile phone.
- Logically, Mike may opt for engineering field too.
In scientific research method, inductive reasoning is widely used to find out probable explanations of challenging problems.
Purpose and importance of Inductive Reasoning
First, it underpins empirical research methods. Because, positivists prefer inductive methods of reasoning to test predictions. Specially, they used to generalize larger phenomenon with certain sample of information.
Second, in this reasoning, we draw conclusions from our observations. This is We call empiricism as we find certain patterns and connections among different things in sequential order.
Third, it is too difficult to understand things in isolation. Hence, by observing repeatedly, one can find patterns and connections among different things and can generalize it in the bigger context.
Bottom-up approach of inductive reasoning
Generally, such reasoning is termed as bottom-up approach as begin with particular observation and ends with wider generalization.
So, probability of conclusions reached depends on the quality and quantity of acquired data through repeated observations, patterns, and connections among things in question.
Logically, more the data one acquires, better the probability of derived conclusions would be possible.
C.Cause-effect reasoning or causal reasoning
Here, Causal arguments make causal link between premises and conclusions. It acts as a bridge between two assertions. By many,it is also called cause-effect reasoning. It is a sub-type of inductive reasoning.
- It is widely observed that outbreak of dengue fever is closely linked with stagnated waters.
- One of my colleague lives in the area where waterlogging is common.
- Possibly, in the rainy season, the chance of dengue fever can’t be ruled out.
Next is the abductive reasoning I’m going to explain in detail.
D.Abductive reasoning – reasoning for medical examination
Unlike deductive and inductive reasoning, “Abductive reasoning”is a form of inductive reasoning process by which person in question derives conclusions based on observations but incomplete.
Simply, every time, one cannot make thoroughly observations of phenomenon in question. In our day to day life, situation forces us to make conclusions without proper observations.
Importance of abductive reasoning
Specially, the purpose of abductive reasoning is to provide best form of explanation based on incomplete observational data. In first hand medical assumption, abductive reasoning works better.
Examples of abductive reasoning
Technically, In the medical examination, doctors have to make plausible explanations, inferences, or conclusions based on certain symptoms.
Suppose, you have high degree of fever, body ache, weakness, and indigestion for two to three weeks.
And, With this information though incomplete, your family doctor might find out the name of illness. It may be malaria, typhoid or dengue by given information.
E.Analogical inductive reasoning
Finally, the last types of reasoning is the “Analogical reasoning” it is also a form of inductive reasoning. Analogical reasoning helps us to reach at the final conclusion on the basis of similar patterns and observatios.
Definately, it is the most effective means to boost human capabilities and intellect to make livelihood easy and comfortable. This is all about the reasoning types including deductive and inductive Reasoning.
Summary of deductive and inductive reasoning
- Reasoning is a mental process of finding relations and connections of things or events you observe.
- As per the “Positivism” philosophy, Universe is an orderly place. There is nothing like random.
- Unlike rote learning, reasoning empowers individual to apply mind to explore knowledge instead to memorize.
- Deductive reasoning, Inductive Reasoning, Abductive reasoning, Analogical reasoning, Cause and effect reasoning are major types of reasonings.
- In deductive reasoning, conclusions are derived from premises instead of observations.
- “Inductive Reasoning” is a specific type of reasoning in which conclusions reached by repeated observations, patterns, and connections.
- Causal, statistical, predicative analogical nductive reasoning are the major subtypes of inductive reasoning.
Solved Questions on types of reasoning
Q. 1. What are the major types of reasonings?
Ans: Deductive reasoning, Inductive Reasoning, Abductive reasoning, Analogical reasoning, Cause and effect reasoning are major types of reasonings we use more or less in ours daily life.
Q.2. What does deductive Reasoning mean?
Ans: In this reasoning, there is no chance for probability but certainty. Conclusions reached by this means either be certain or false. In this case, if the given premises are true, it is impossible to derive false conclusion.
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