Reasoning Basics and Types

Practice flashcards covering the definitions, nature, and various types of reasoning based on the lecture notes.

Reasoning

Step wise thinking with a Purpose or goal in mind; the process of creating or generating conclusion from evidence.

Deductive Reasoning

A logical approach that progresses from general ideas to specific conclusions, though the text notes it goes from specific to general; if premises are true, the conclusion is true.

Inductive Reasoning

The process of using examples and observations to reach a conclusion, which according to the text goes from general to specific and derives general principles from specific observations.

Analogical Reasoning

A form of inductive reasoning from a particular to a particular, often used in case-based or legal reasoning, which frequently leads to wrong conclusions.

Abductive Reasoning

Also known as an argument to the best explanation, this focuses on favoring one conclusion above others by falsifying alternative explanations or demonstrating the likelihood of the favored conclusion.

Fallacious Reasoning

Flawed reasoning in arguments caused by formal fallacies (problems with the structure/form) or informal fallacies (errors in the content).

Causal Reasoning

All cognition about cause and effect except learning, used to explain what may happen if an action takes place or why things happen when specific conditions are present.

Sign Reasoning

A special sort of inductive reasoning often used in legal court cases where conclusions about a given situation are drawn based on physical, concrete evidence.

Decompositional Reasoning

The process of breaking things into constituent parts to understand the function of each component and how it contributes to the operation of the item as a whole.

Reasoning from Authority

A technique used when a person argues that a particular claim is justified because it is held or advocate by a credible source.