Reasoning

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Reasoning is defined very differently depending on the context of the understanding of reason as a form of knowledge. The logical definition is the act of using reason to derive a conclusion from certain premises using a given methodology, and the two most commonly used explicit methods to reach a conclusion are deductive reasoning and inductive reasoning. However, within idealist philosophical contexts, reasoning is the mental process which informs our imagination, perceptions, thoughts, and feelings with whatever intelligibility these appear to contain; and thus links our experience with universal meaning. The specifics of the methods of reasoning are of interest to such disciplines as philosophy, logic, psychology, and artificial intelligence.

[edit] Areas of reasoning

Human reasoning capability's are devided into 3. areas:

• Logical Reasoning
• non-Logical Reasoning (languages, feelings and so on)
• Mathematical Reasoning

The IQ (Intelligence quotient) for example, measured with non-language tests, is the summation of the logical-, and mathematical reasoning skill, the EQ depends mostly on non-logical reasoning capability's. While the basic capability's for these 3 areas of reasoning, may be found in every human being, the level of these ability's heavily depends on education, environment and genetics. These capability's also work autonomous from each other. Some humans may have state of the art logical capability's while lacking badly in the 2. other areas of reasoning. Physics for example requires both, logical- and mathematical reasoning capability's. That's by the way, the reason behind the fact that most physicists have a fairly high IQ.

[edit] Types of logical reasoning

In deductive reasoning, given true premises, the conclusion must follow and it cannot be false. In this type of reasoning, the conclusion is inherent in the premises. Deductive reasoning therefore does not increase one's knowledge base and is said to be non-ampliative. Classic examples of deductive reasoning are found in such syllogisms as the following:

1. One must exist (and live) to perform the act of thinking.
2. I think.
3. Therefore, I am.

In inductive reasoning, on the other hand, when the premises are true, then the conclusion follows with some degree of probability. This method of reasoning is ampliative, as it gives more information than what was contained in the premises themselves. A classical example comes from David Hume:

1. The sun rose in the east every morning up until now.
2. Therefore the sun will also rise in the east tomorrow.

A third method of reasoning is called abductive reasoning, or inference to the best explanation. This method is more complex in its structure and can involve both inductive and deductive arguments. The main characteristic of abduction is that it is an attempt to favor one conclusion above others by either attempting to falsify alternative explanations, or showing the likelihood of the favored conclusion given a set of more or less disputable assumptions.

A fourth method of reasoning is analogy. Reasoning by analogy goes from a particular to another particular. The conclusion of an analogy is only plausible. Analogical reasoning is very frequent in common sense, science, philosophy and the humanities, but sometimes it is accepted only as an auxiliary method. A refined approach is Case based reasoning. On inferences by analogy, see Juthe, 2005.

[edit] See also

• Casuistry
• Categorical syllogism
• Critical thinking
• Defeasible reasoning
• Evidence
• Inference
• Logic
• Logical reasoning
• Retroduction
• SP theory

[edit] References

• Vincent F. Hendricks, Thought 2 Talk: A Crash Course in Reflection and Expression, New York: Automatic Press / VIP, 2005, ISBN 87-991013-7-8
• Zarefsky, David. "Formal and Informal Argument: Lecture 3," Argumentation: The Study of Effective Reasoning Part I, The Teaching Company.
• Zarefsky, David. "Reasoning from Parts to Whole: Lecture 10," Argumentation: The Study of Effective Reasoning Part I, The Teaching Company.nl:Redenering

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