Through deduction, truth is revealed both in the natural sciences and in everyday life. People use the ability to reason logically, which in the general sense is deduction in everyday life, at work, in games and other activities not related to science. The science of logic investigates these processes. Deduction, on the other hand, is based on the isolation of the particular from general judgments by means of logically processed inferences. To better understand the subject of discussion, it is necessary to understand what deduction is and explore all the points related to it.
What is inference?
First you need to understand what a conclusion is. Logic considers this concept as a form of thinking, in which a new judgment (that is, a conclusion or conclusion) is born from several messages (forms of judgments).
For example:
- All living organisms consume moisture.
- Absolutely all plants are living organisms.
- Conclusion - all plants use moisture.
So, the first and second judgments in this example are the message, and the third is the conclusion (conclusion). Incorrect one of the messagesmay lead to a false conclusion. If the sends are unrelated, no output can be made.
Conclusions are divided into indirect and direct. In the latter, the conclusion is drawn from one message. That is, they are transformed simple propositions.
In mediated inferences, the analysis of several messages leads to the formation of a conclusion. Such conclusions are divided into three types: deductive, inductive and conclusions by analogy. Let's take a look at each one.
Deductive reasoning
Inference based on deduction provides for the deduction for a particular case from a general rule.
For example:
- Monkeys love bananas.
- Lucy is a monkey.
- Conclusion: Lucy loves bananas.
In this example, the first message is a general rule, in the second - a particular case is included in the general rule and, as a result, on this basis, a conclusion is made regarding this particular case. If all monkeys love bananas, and Lucy is one of them, then she loves them too. An example clearly explains what deduction is. It is a movement from more to less, from the general to the particular, in which the aspect of knowledge narrows down, provoking a valid conclusion.
Inductive inference
The opposite of deductive reasoning is inductive reasoning, in which a general pattern is derived from some particular cases.
For example:
- Vasya has a head.
- Petya has a head.
- UIf there is a head.
- Vasya, Petya and Kolya are people.
- Conclusion - all people have a head.
In this case, the first three messages are special cases, generalized by the fourth one under one class of objects, and in conclusion it is said about the general rule for all objects of this class. Unlike deduction, in inductive inferences, reasoning goes from less to more, from the particular to the general, therefore, the conclusions are not reliable, but probabilistic. After all, the transfer of special cases to a general group is fraught with errors, since in any cases there may be exceptions. The probabilistic nature of induction is, of course, a minus, but there is a huge plus in comparison with deduction. What is deduction? This is a judgment that works for the narrowing of knowledge, its concretization, analysis and analysis of known facts. Induction, on the contrary, encourages the expansion of knowledge, the creation of something new, the synthesis of new conclusions and judgments.
Analogy
The next type of inference is based on analogy, that is, the similarity of objects to each other is evaluated. If the objects are similar in some features, their similarity in the rest is also allowed.
An example of inference by analogy is the testing of large vessels in a pool, in which their properties are mentally transferred to the open water spaces of the seas and oceans. The same principle is followed when studying the properties of micromodels of bridges.
It should be remembered that the conclusions of analogy, like induction, are probabilistic.
What is the use of deduction?
As alreadyIt was said at the beginning of the article that any person can make a deductive conclusion in the process of life, and such conclusions affect many areas of life in addition to scientific ones. The deductive way of thinking is very useful for law enforcement, investigative and judicial officials (for the "Sherlocks" of our time).
But no matter what a person does, deduction will always come in handy. In professional activities, it will allow you to make the most rational and competent far-sighted decisions, in your studies - to master the subject faster and more thoroughly, and in everyday life - to better build relationships with people and understand others.
Deduction development methods
Many people these days are striving for self-development and tend to come to understand the importance of having good deductive reasoning. How to develop deduction correctly?
Special games can contribute to the development of deduction, as well as the introduction of a new way of thinking into everyday life. The main tips for its development can be grouped into the following blocks:
- Awakening interest. Any material that is studied should be of interest. This will allow you to better understand all the subtleties of the subject and achieve the desired level of understanding.
- Depth of study. You can not study subjects superficially, only a thorough analysis will give a positive result.
- Broad-minded. People with developed thinking often have knowledge in many areas of life - culture,music, sports, science, etc.
- Flexibility of thinking. What is deduction without flexibility of thought? It's practically useless. In order to develop such flexibility, it is necessary to try to bypass the recognized paths and schemes by all, to find new aspects of the vision of the issue that will prompt the correct and sometimes unexpected solution. A critical approach to even the most ordinary and familiar situations will allow you to make the best and, most importantly, independent decision.
- Combination. Try to think in different ways at the same time - combine inductive and deductive reasoning.
