Please explain the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning. In your answer, please define each term. Also, please provide an example of each.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Induction refers to the process of drawing an inference from a set of premises and observations. This type of reasoning differs from deduction because the premises do not guarantee the conclusion but instead lend support to it. An inductive argument, in other words, does not rely on formal proof but rather gives us (more or less solid) reasons for believing in the conclusion’s truthfulness. Students can include various examples. For instance, an example of inductive reasoning might be making a generalization from a sample while an example of deductive reasoning might be making a series of logical statements that, if true, would prove the conclusion correct. Instructors should note that by including the third sentence in the question they can make this into a longer question requiring an example of each form of reasoning, or exclude the sentence to make it a shorter question.