Supplementary Material 1-Deductive and Inductive Reasoning数字时代的商务英语写作.pdf

Deductive and Inductive Reasoning The two major types of reasoning, deductive and inductive, refer to the process by which someone creates a conclusion as well as how they believe their conclusion to be true. Deductive reasoning requires one to start with a few general ideas, called premises , and apply them to a specific situation. Recognized rules, laws, theories, and other widely accepted truths are used to prove that a conclusion is right. The concept of deductive reasoning is often expressed visually using a funnel that narrows a general idea into a specific conclusion. In practice, the most basic form of deductive reasoning is the syllogism, where two premises that share some idea support a conclusion. It may be easier to think of syllogisms as the following theorem: If A=B and C=A, then B=C. Deductive Reasoning in Deductive Reasoning in Deductive Reasoning in Theory: Theory: Practice: General Ideas A is B All muscles are made out of living tissue. C is A All humans have muscles. Therefore, B is C. Therefore, all humans are Specific Conclusion made out of living tissue. Note that the above paragraph states that the premises prove the conclusion, not justify it. Deductive reasoning is meant to demonstrate that the conclusion is absolutely true based on the logic of