Think Better · 45 sec
Deductive reasoning
A compact thinking tool for spotting patterns and avoiding mistakes.
The useful idea
- The useful idea
Deductive reasoning is the process of drawing valid inferences.
- How it works
An inference is valid if its conclusion follows logically from its premises, meaning that it is impossible for the premises to be true and the conclusion to be false.
- Why it matters
For example, the inference from the premises "all men are mortal" and "Socrates is a man" to the conclusion "Socrates is mortal" is deductively valid.
Why this matters
Use Deductive reasoning as a quick check before trusting your first conclusion.
Try this
Use Deductive reasoning as a quick check before trusting your first conclusion.
Test your recall
Which idea belongs to the explanation of Deductive reasoning?
- Why it matters
- How it works
- The useful idea — correct
Deductive reasoning is the process of drawing valid inferences.