Tuesday, January 04, 2005

Reasoning

In formal logic, there are are two different types of reasoning, deductive and inductive. Deductive is coming to a conclusion by using evidence to eliminate all other conclusions. Inductive reasoning is making a valid conclusion based on the evidence. Deductive reasoning is more powerful, but is possible in fewer situations. Most reasoning we do on important things, such as politics and religion, is inductive. This has some important implications. First, and most importantly, multiple correct conclusions that are contradictory may occur. More importantly, people cannot validly say that a conclusion that contradicts their own is wrong, in an absolute sense.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Dude... I'd never heard the deductive/inductive methods described like that. I'd only ever heard of it in context of two specific classes -- one in philosophy, one in com sci. That explanation actually links the two together, 'cuz up 'til now, I saw no relation between what the philosophers call "inductive" and what the com scis call "inductive.