Learn how to use deductive and inductive reasoning skills for decision-making. Find out the differences, strengths, and limitations of each type of reasoning.

Using hypothetical syllogism ( if "a" then "b" , given a theoretical construct) is a way to establish causality by argument which can then be tested for validation. This form of deductive reasoning is helpful when clear direct evidence is not available ( which is the case in many business situations). One needs a ladder of valid deductive reasoning before one moves to the empirical phase for falsifications/validation. This is the scientific approach for establishing causality if one is trying to solve problems in an environment, where direct evidence is not available.

When should you use deductive reasoning versus inductive reasoning?

How do you make sound decisions based on logic and evidence? One way is to use reasoning skills, which are the mental processes of drawing conclusions from facts and premises. There are two main types of reasoning skills: deductive and inductive. In this article, you will learn when to use each one and how they can help you solve problems and make better choices.

1 Deductive reasoning

Deductive reasoning is the process of applying general rules or principles to specific cases or situations. For example, if you know that all birds have wings, and you see a robin, you can deduce that the robin has wings. Deductive reasoning is useful when you want to test a hypothesis, confirm a theory, or derive a logical consequence. However, deductive reasoning can also lead to errors if the premises are false, incomplete, or inconsistent.

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Satyashri Mohanty

Obsessed with Solving Wicked Problems in Operations and Supply Chain
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Using hypothetical syllogism ( if "a" then "b" , given a theoretical construct) is a way to establish causality by argument which can then be tested for validation. This form of deductive reasoning is helpful when clear direct evidence is not available ( which is the case in many business situations). One needs a ladder of valid deductive reasoning before one moves to the empirical phase for falsifications/validation. This is the scientific approach for establishing causality if one is trying to solve problems in an environment, where direct evidence is not available.

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Yuganka Sharan

SDE-4 at PhysicsWallah
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I think deductive reasoning should only be applied when we are relatively certain that the subject on which we are applying the principle is actually of that type. For example, if you were living on a secluded island and observed that every family only had male children for the last 4-5 generations, you may be tempted to deduce that you'll also have only sons, whereas your society may have had a rare gene that needed a particular other gene for this effect to be cancelled, and your wife happens to have that (rare) gene, meaning you are equally likely to have a son or a daughter.

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2 Inductive reasoning

Inductive reasoning is the process of inferring general patterns or principles from specific observations or examples. For example, if you notice that every time you eat ice cream, you get a headache, you can induce that ice cream causes headaches. Inductive reasoning is useful when you want to discover a new phenomenon, generate a hypothesis, or explore a complex problem. However, inductive reasoning can also lead to uncertainty, as the conclusions are not guaranteed to be true, but only probable or plausible.

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Yuganka Sharan

SDE-4 at PhysicsWallah
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Inductive reasoning can be a very useful tool to generate hypothesis, but we should be careful about the scope of properties that we are expanding to the higher set. So for instance, if after seeing 10 different types of trees you create a set of properties that you think are common to all trees, and include "bark on trunk" to it, you would be mistaken since not all trees have a bark. So when using inductive reasoning, one has to be smart enough to choose the narrowest definitions which are at the same time a distinctive trait of the set of objects in question, and striking this balance is not always easy.

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3 Comparing deductive and inductive reasoning

Both deductive and inductive reasoning are valuable skills for decision-making, but they have different strengths and limitations. Deductive reasoning is more reliable and precise, but it depends on the validity and accuracy of the premises. Inductive reasoning is more creative and flexible, but it involves more assumptions and risks of error. Therefore, the best way to use them is to combine them in a cycle of reasoning, where you start with a hypothesis, test it with observations, refine it with evidence, and repeat the process until you reach a satisfactory conclusion.

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Yuganka Sharan

SDE-4 at PhysicsWallah
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I feel using inductive reasoning has a lot to do with intuition since extracting the essence of the property of the object in question is not really something that can always be determined rationally. And, in an appropriate balancing, performing deductive reasoning is a very rational decision to be able to understand exactly what the premise is and how to apply it on a specific object.

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Moataz Helmy

President, AfriLabs
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Example: Understanding Climate Change - Hypothesis Formation (Inductive Reasoning): Climate scientists begin with the observation of rising global temperatures and changes in weather patterns. They hypothesize that human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, may be contributing to these changes. - Hypothesis Testing (Deductive Reasoning): Scientists use deductive reasoning to design experiments or models to test their hypotheses. For example, they may use computer models to simulate the Earth's climate under different scenarios, including ones with reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

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4 How to use deductive reasoning

To use deductive reasoning effectively, you need to identify the general rules or principles that apply to your problem or situation. This could be based on laws, theories, definitions, or common knowledge. Then, you should apply these rules to the specific case or situation by using syllogisms, which are logical arguments that consist of two premises and a conclusion. Finally, evaluate the validity and soundness of your argument. A valid argument is one with a correct logical structure where the conclusion follows necessarily from the premises, while a sound argument is one that is valid and has true premises.

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5 How to use inductive reasoning

To use inductive reasoning effectively, you need to observe the specific examples or cases that relate to your problem or situation, and infer the general patterns or principles that explain your observations. This can be done by using induction methods, such as analogy, generalization, causation, or correlation. It is important to evaluate the strength and reliability of your inference; a strong inference is supported by sufficient and relevant evidence and accounts for possible exceptions or counterexamples. A reliable inference is one that is consistent with other sources of information and can be tested or verified.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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When should you use deductive reasoning versus inductive reasoning?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Deductive reasoning

2 Inductive reasoning

3 Comparing deductive and inductive reasoning

4 How to use deductive reasoning

5 How to use inductive reasoning

6 Here’s what else to consider

Decision-Making

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When should you use deductive reasoning versus inductive reasoning?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Deductive reasoning

2 Inductive reasoning

3 Comparing deductive and inductive reasoning

4 How to use deductive reasoning

5 How to use inductive reasoning

6 Here’s what else to consider

Decision-Making

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