Traditional Scales: Inductive & Deductive Reasoning
The Inductive Reasoning and the Deductive Reasoning scales on Insight Assessment Critical Thinking Skills Tests follow the traditional conceptualization of reasoning which divides the realm into inductive and deductive reasoning.
It is worth noting that the labels “inductive” and “deductive” have become notoriously ambiguous as a result of important differences in what they denote in different disciplines. Concern about this ambiguity explains why the words “deduction” and “induction” appear nowhere in the test. In view of the continued use of this distinction, however, Insight Assessment offers these scales:
Decision making in precisely defined contexts where rules, operating conditions, core beliefs, values, policies, principles, procedures and terminology completely determine the outcome depends on strong deductive reasoning skills. Deductive reasoning moves with exacting precision from the assumed truth of a set of beliefs to a conclusion which cannot be false if those beliefs are true. Deductive validity is rigorously logical and clear-cut. Deductive validity leaves no room for uncertainty, unless one alters the meanings of words or the grammar of the language.
Decision making in contexts of uncertainty relies on inductive reasoning. We use inductive reasoning skills when we draw inferences about what we think must probably be true based on analogies, case studies, prior experience, statistical analyses, simulations, hypotheticals, and familiar circumstances and patterns of behavior. As long as there is the possibility, however remote, that a highly probable conclusion might be mistaken, the reasoning is inductive. Although it does not yield certainty, inductive reasoning can provide a solid basis for confidence in our conclusions.
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