Deductive reasoning
Deductive reasoning (pronunciation: /dɪˈdʌktɪv ˈriːzənɪŋ/), also known as deduction or top-down logic, is a type of reasoning process that derives the logically necessary conclusion from the given premises. The term is derived from the Latin word 'deducere', meaning 'to lead down' or 'derive'.
Definition
Deductive reasoning is a logical process in which a conclusion is based on the concordance of multiple premises that are generally assumed to be true. It is a type of reasoning that moves from general statements, called premises, to a specific conclusion.
Process
The process of deductive reasoning includes three steps:
- The first step is the premise, which is a basic fact or belief that is established as true.
- The second step is the inference, where a conclusion is drawn based on the premise.
- The third step is the conclusion, which is the final result of the deductive reasoning process.
Examples
A common example of deductive reasoning is:
- Premise 1: All men are mortal.
- Premise 2: Socrates is a man.
- Conclusion: Therefore, Socrates is mortal.
Related Terms
- Inductive reasoning: A type of reasoning that involves drawing conclusions based on patterns or observations.
- Abductive reasoning: A form of logical inference which starts with an observation then seeks the simplest and most likely explanation.
- Logical reasoning: The process of using a rational, systematic series of steps based on sound mathematical procedures and given statements to arrive at a conclusion.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Deductive reasoning
- Wikipedia's article - Deductive reasoning
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