Comparative Forms of Reasoning

[2PhiloVoid]

Each of us has our own preference for a form of reasoning we tend to apply in most cases, even in the thinking and living that is a part of our faith.

In the short video below, three comparative modes of reasoning are presented (in very simple terms which may not fully represent the entirety of each mode of reasoning).

Think about which form of reasoning you tend to use or favor the most and then, if you please, answer the poll. Feel free to chat about how you analyze life from that form of reasoning.

Deductive vs Inductive vs Abductive Reasoning​

 

[2PhiloVoid]

So yes, I tend to favor Abductive reasoning, wherein I take into consideration the information I have available to me and, after analyzing it, affirm whichever explanation from it I think is the best (or the better, but still improvable).

Deductive and Inductive forms of reasoning are not something I tend to use or to rely on as much, even if they may be brought in to form an argument from time to time.

 

[PloverWing]

All of us use all three of these -- plus other things like intuition and habit and so forth -- to get through our days. But deductive reasoning is my first love.

Admittedly, formal deductive reasoning isn't available for many ordinary life choices; there's too much uncertainty and too many gaps in our information. But I spend much of my days teaching symbolic logic and logic programming and theory of computing, so I do get to use deductive reasoning in my daily life. In some ways, mathematics feels more real to me than the physical world.

 

[PloverWing]

And now, for your enjoyment, an xkcd cartoon:

Certainty

xkcd.com