We explain what a deduction is in a general sense and what deduction is in logic, with examples. Also, what is the tax deduction.
What is a deduction?
A deduction (also called derivation) is the mental procedure of identifying, extracting or separating a part from a wholethat is, a singular element of a broader category. It is a term derived from the verb deductcoming from Latin I will deducein turn made up of the voices of- (separation prefix and/or downward movement) and ducere (“guide” or “drive”), so that it could be understood, figuratively, as “guide something from top to bottom”, that is, from the most general to the most specific.
This word can be used in different contexts and senses, although most of the time it refers to two specific procedures: logical deduction, that is, the extraction of particular conclusions from universal premises; and the fiscal or tax deduction, that is, the reduction of the taxes that a person owes to the State based on their personal conditions and their productive expenses. Even so, it is possible to speak of deduction in other contexts, such as musical contexts, to refer to a series of notes that successively ascend or descend in pitch.
See also: Deductive method
logical deduction
In the field of logic and formal reasoning, a deduction or deductive reasoning is the obtaining of a particular conclusion from general premises. In this it is distinguished and contrasted with induction, which obtains general conclusions from particular premises.
The deduction It is one of the main mechanisms of logical reasoning and one of the oldest formulated by humanity. It is studied by psychology, philosophy, mathematics and other disciplines, and is characterized because its conclusions follow from the premises, that is, they cannot be false if the premises are true (although they can be true if the premises are false). ). For example:
- If we know that planets are round and we also know that the Earth is a planet, then we can deduce that the Earth is round.
- If all human beings are mortal and Socrates is a human being, it is possible to deduce that Socrates is mortal.
- If no quadruped can fly and cows are quadruped animals, then no cow can fly.
In these cases, valid and true conclusions are obtained from true premises. But it is also possible to deduce a true and valid conclusion from false premises, as in the following case:
- If frogs are mammals, and no bird is a mammal, then no bird is a frog.
Deductions that are not valid, i.e. Those whose conclusions do not logically follow from the premises are considered fallacies..
tax deduction
A tax deduction or tax deduction is a type of tax benefit, that is, of exemption or relief from a person's tax obligations (their taxes payable)which the State can provide you depending on certain particular conditions of your personal economy.
Deductions normally depend on rules that seek a tax landscape that is as fair as possible, that does not harm the economy of those who already have economic burdens and productive expenses. In addition, A government may provide tax deductions for certain issues it wishes to encourage or certain sectors it wishes to benefit.. For example:
- A government can allow tenants to deduct their rent payments from income tax, that is, to deduct (subtract) it from the amount payable each month.
- A government can grant a percentage of tax deduction to importers of goods not produced in the country, as a way to encourage their income, by making the operation more profitable.
- A person who lives with two children and a sick parent at home can explain this in their formal tax return so that they allow a specific margin of deduction in the payment of their taxes. In this way, the tax system allows people with certain family expenses greater financial relief.
Continue with: Induction
References
- “Deductive reasoning” on Wikipedia.
- “Tax benefit” on Wikipedia.
- “Deduce” in the Dictionary of the Language of the Royal Spanish Academy.
- “Etymology of Deduce” in the Online Spanish Etymological Dictionary.
- “Logical deduction” at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
