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Humor:
Inductive, Deductive and
Abductive
methods
of
Teaching
Differences:
Induction
and deduction are pervasive elements in
critical thinking. They are
also some what
misunderstood terms.Arguments based on
experience or
observation are best expressed
inductively, while arguments based on
laws or rules
are best expressed deductively.Most arguments are
mainly
inductive. In fact, inductive reasoning usually
comes much more naturally to us than deductive
reasoning.
Inductive reasoning moves from specific details and
observations to the
lore general underlying principles
or processes that explain them(e.g.,
newton"s law of
Gravity).
The premises of an inductive argument are believed
to support the
conclusion, but don't ensure it. Thus,
the conclusion of an induction is
regarded as a
hypothesis.In the inductive method, also called the
scientific method, observation of nature is the
authority.
In contrast, deductive reasoning typically moves
general treuths to
specific conclusion. It opens with
an expansive explanation and
continues with
predication for specific observations supporting
it.Deductive reasoning is narrow in nature and is
concerned with testing or confirming a hypothesis.
Deductive reasoning:
Deductive reasoning works from the "general" to the
"specific". This is also called a "top-down" approach.
The deductive reasoning works as follows:
think of a
theory about topic and then narrow it down to specific
hypothesis (hypothesis that we test or can test).
Narrow down further if
we would like to collect
observations for hypothesis (note that we
collect
observations to accept or reject hypothesis and the
reason we do
that is to confirm or refute our original
theory).
Inductive
reasoning:
Inductive
reasoning works the other way, it works
from observation (or
observations) works toward
generalizations and theories. This is also
called a
“bottom-up approach. Inductive reason starts from
specific
observations , look for patterns, regularities
(or irregularities), formulate hypothesis that we could
work with and finally ended up
developing general
theories or drawing conclusion.
Properties
of Induction:
Induction is palliative. The conclusion of an inductive
argument has content that
goes beyond the content
of its premises. A correct inductive argument
may
have true premises and a false conclusion. Induction
is not necessarily truth preserving.
