Theory of deduction

Day by day, coming to all possible conclusions and inferences, we use various methods of cognition: observation, experiment, induction, deduction, analogy, etc.

Method of induction and deduction

At the heart of any type of research are deductive and inductive methods. Induction (with Latin guidance) is a transition from the particular to the general, and deduction (from the Latin derivation) is from the general to the particular. The approach of the inductive method begins with analysis, comparison of observational data, the repetition of which usually leads to an inductive generalization. This approach is applicable in almost all spheres of activity. For example, the reasoning of the court, on the basis of which it renders a decision, is a vivid example of inductive reasoning, after all, on the basis of several already known facts, any guess is created and if all the new facts meet the assumption and are its consequence, then this assumption becomes true.

There are 2 types of induction:

  1. when it is impossible to assume all cases - such an induction is called incomplete;
  2. whenever possible, which is very rare - complete.

In addition to the transition from the private to the general, in addition to induction, there is an analogy, a rationale, methods for establishing causal relationships, and so on.

What is deduction and on what is the deduction method based?

Deduction in our life is a special kind of thinking, which, by logical deduction, is based on the allocation of the private from the common. Thus, the theory of deduction is a kind of chain of logical inferences, the links of which are inextricably linked with each other and lead to an undeniable conclusion.

For example, the method of mathematical deduction of truth detection is used in the proof of axioms in natural sciences: physics, mathematics, etc. However, deduction has a broader meaning, since deductive thinking is the ability of a person to reason logically, and ultimately, to come to an indisputable conclusion. Consequently, in addition to the sphere of scientific activity, the method of deductive thinking is very useful, including in many other types of activity.

In psychology, the theory of deduction studies the development and violation of various deductive judgments. In the conditionality of all mental processes, the movement of knowledge from the more general to the less general is analyzed by the structure of the thought process as a whole. Psychology deals with the study of deduction, as a process of individual thinking and its formation in the process of personality development.

Undoubtedly, the most striking example of deduction is the thinking of the well-known literary hero Sherlock Holmes. He, taking as a basis the common (a crime with all the participants in the event), gradually building up the logical chains of actions, motives of behavior, passes to the private (to each person and the events connected with him), thereby establishing guilt or innocence in this crime. By logical inference, he expose the criminal, giving unquestionable evidence of his guilt. Thus, it can be said that deduction is very useful to investigators, detectives, lawyers, etc.

However deduction is useful to any concrete person, whatever he does. For example, in everyday life, it promotes a better understanding of the surrounding people, building the necessary relationships with them; in study - much faster and much more qualitatively understand the material being studied; and in the work - to make the most rational and correct decisions, while counting the actions and moves of employees and competitors on several steps forward. That is why we should make maximum efforts to develop this method of thinking.