TFY - Chapter 12 Deductive Reasoning Summary

“TFY” Chapter 12 – Deductive Reasoning Summary

This chapter was all about deductive reasoning and the logic behind it. The chapter also compared deductive reasoning with inductive reasoning. Deductive reasoning usually starts with a general principle and then applies it to a specific instance. While inductive reasoning usually starts with a more specific instance and then pulls it into a more general principle. The logic behind the deduction is a science of good reasoning, both inductive and deductive. I learned in this chapter there are some key terms I must understand in order to understand the basics of logic. The terms I need to understand are: argument, reasoning, syllogism, premise (major and minor), conclusion, validity, and soundness. From previous chapters, and this one, I learned that an argument can be both inductive and deductive and can be valid even if the premises are not true. I previously also learned that reasoning is drawn from facts, which will lead you to conclusions, judgments, or inferences about whatever topic you are discussing or reading about. Conclusion, validity and soundness are also some terms that I have already known the meaning behind. Your conclusion is a way to summarize your main point or what you are trying to get across or get action on. Validity and soundness both have to do with the truth behind your argument, reasoning, and premise. Premise was also a word that was previously discussed in another chapter, but in this chapter we learned that a major premise is more of a generalization, while a minor premise is more specific. The new key term to me in this chapter is syllogism. I have learned that this term clarifies the claims or premises, helps you to discover and expose hidden premises, and helps to find out if one thought follows another thought logically.