Deductive reasoning

From RationalWiki

Deductive reasoning proceeds by starting with assumptions, axioms, or hypotheses, and then deriving outcomes.

[edit] Examples

• Mathematics: start with axioms and arrive at a proof. A mathematician might begin with a statement such as "a right triangle's sides are labeled a, b, and c" and, using a series of logical steps, show that a² + b² = c².
• Any logical process of the form "If cause X, then outcome Y," e.g. "If it is raining, then it is cloudy"

Deductive reasoning has the advantages of certainty and objectivity. The statement "If X, then Y" guarantees that Y is true when X is true, regardless of belief. The money question then becomes "Is X true?"

[edit] See Also

• Inductive reasoning

S T U B (The Pet Goat ate it)