Inductive & deductive reasoning

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD REASONING

Reasoning logically has some precise characteristics that are important to appreciate before delving into inductive & deductive reasoning.

Firstly, reasoning has a definite purpose or objective. It is an attempt to figure something out or to settle a question and solve a problem. Also, the reasoning comes with assumptions and specific points of view. It is usually supplemented with data, information, and evidence. We express reasoning through our perspectives and ideas. It helps us move forward and make progress. And finally, all reasoning processes come with implications and consequences.

There are essentially two primary forms of reasoning. They are called inductive reasoning and deductive reasoning. This article will define both types of reasoning and look at some of the critical differences.

INDUCTIVE REASONING

Sometimes referred to as "cause-and-effect reasoning," inductive reasoning is based on observation and evidence of frequency. For example, our interactions with people around us are usually driven by our inductive reasoning. We attach great significance to what we observe as different types of behavior among our colleagues. We assign characteristics such as "smart", "short-tempered", "procrastinator", "diligent", or "trustworthy", based on what we observe about them. This habit of our's is inductive reasoning at work. It is the practice of taking a series of specific scenarios and arriving at generalized conclusions from them. Inductive reasoning uses experience and proven observations to guess the outcome. Companies seeking to recruit interns from particular educational institutions is a good example of inductive reasoning.

DEDUCTIVE REASONING

Deductive reasoning works the other way round. It takes a generalized statement and backs it up with proof of evidence, data, facts, and additional information.

Take Ramesh's example, a financial marketer who believes that hereditary influences drive individual investment behavior. A child who grows up watching his or her parents being conservative in their choice of financial instruments to invest in will likely follow the same trend. If your parents believed in land or gold, you would probably shy away from risky stock markets. So, Ramesh takes the help of a research agency and conducts a market survey to prove or disprove this hypothesis. He is deploying deductive reasoning to understand investment behavior.

Therefore, deductive reasoning is a form of valid reasoning to deduce new information or conclude from known related facts and or assumed knowledge.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INDUCTIVE AND DEDUCTIVE REASONING

Inductive and deductive reasoning are essentially opposing ways to arrive at a conclusion or a perspective. Inductive reasoning begins with an observation, with patterns and occurrences, all of which help you arrive at a premise or belief. Deductive reasoning, on the other hand, begins with a theory or an opinion, and then supports it with observation, and eventually arrives at a confirmation, which could be an affirmation or an invalidation.

In deductive reasoning, the conclusion will determine if the hypothesis is correct. In inductive reasoning, the strength of the belief does not guarantee the truth in reality. Just because someone is seemingly short-tempered may not necessarily mean that person is always short-tempered. Only because someone grew up with parents, ultra-conservative in their investments, may not be true of the son or daughter. However, if proper research did prove that yes, the offspring of such parents are indeed conservative, then deductive reasoning would have confirmed a truth.

Deductive reasoning moves from a generalized statement to a valid conclusion, whereas Inductive reasoning moves from a specific observation to a generalization. In deductive reasoning, the findings are explicit, whereas, in Inductive reasoning, the conclusions are probabilistic.

IN CONCLUSION

Both types of reasoning are essential for effective collaboration and success in the workplace. They go a long way in improving your self-management skills. Whether we are aware of it or not, we continuously make assumptions, inferences, and conclusions using both reasoning types. To make decisions, pursue ideas, and improve processes, we must be fully aware of the differences and ensure that we apply the correct reasoning commensurate to the task at hand.

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