The Reasoning Process:Inductive Reasoning

Basics• Proving Claims REQUIRES logic• “How a speaker proves how and why evidence supports a

claim”• Sometimes things can be left unsaid, audience makes the

connection for you

5 types of Reasoning1) Inductive2) Deductive3) Sign4) Casual Relationship5) Analogy

Inductive Reasoning• Two Steps to drawing conclusions1) Examination of specific instances or

examples2) Development of a general or specific rule

Using Stats or studies is a common way to satisfy the first step.

**Basing future events on recorded past occurrences!

Chapter Example• Sun Cancer• Seat Belt Laws, and correlation with

automobile related deaths• Women in positions of corporate

leadership

Researched Example• All sheep that I've seen are white• All sheep must be white• This example makes inductive reasoning seem useless, but it is in fact very

powerful. Most scientific discoveries are made with use of inductive reasoning. A majority of mathematical discoveries come about from conclusions made with inductive reasoning, or observation. But the key word is "discovery." With induction something can be discovered but not proven.

Quiz Questions• Name two types of Reasoning named earlier in the

presentation• Proving claims requires ___________• Many times, Inductive reasoning involves the use of….A. Statistics and figuresB. AnecdotesC. Hearsay