We explain what reasoning is, its elements and characteristics. Also, what are the different types of reasoning.
What is reasoning?
A reasoning is a mental process in which we start from a certain number of premises to reach a conclusion inferred about these.
The branch of philosophy that studies reasoning is logic. This is defined as the study of the formal methods through which reasoning is done. Logic is the science of reasoning . In particular, logic is responsible for argumentation, which is a type of reasoning in which certain argument schemes are followed.
A reasoning can occur in a formal statement, as happens in the language of logic, or in an informal statement. An example of an informal statement is argumentative reasoning . Argumentative reasoning is any mental activity that corresponds to the linguistic activity of arguing.
logical reasoning
Logic works with reasoning known as statements . These statements can be true or false; valid or invalid. Just because an argument is false does not necessarily make it invalid.
The validity or invalidity of a reasoning has to do with its formal aspect. According to the form, for an argument to be valid, if its premises are true, its conclusion must also be true. An argument is valid when it is impossible for its conclusion to be false if its premises are true.
All reasoning understood as a statement is made up of two elements: the premises and its conclusion.
- The premises . The set of statements that affirm or deny something about something and that constitute the starting point for any form of reasoning. Premises, like conclusions, can be true or false.
- The conclusions . The conclusions are the set of expressions obtained from the premises, through the application of logical-argumentative procedures. The conclusions of one argument can serve as a premise for another, and its validity depends on the formal aspect used in the reasoning.
Inductive and deductive reasoning
As a science of reasoning, logic distinguishes between two formal types of reasoning:
- Deductive reasoning . Deductive reasoning is one in which the conclusion is necessarily inferred from the premises. For example: if all dogs bite, and Boby is a dog, the conclusion will be that Boby bites.
- Inductive reasoning . Inductive reasoning is one in which the truth of the premises supports but does not guarantee its conclusion. For example, if every time Boby the dog barks, it rains, it is induced that whenever Boby barks it will rain, even though there is a probability that this will not happen.
Mathematical reasoning
A specific type of logical reasoning is mathematical reasoning. A mathematical reasoning is one that It is used to prove mathematical propositions and theorems .
Mathematical reasoning can also be used to solve problems in everyday life. For example, if I have ten chocolates and I have to distribute them equally among five friends, I can apply the rules of mathematical division to deduce how many I have to give to each one.
References
- Gamut, LTF, & Durán, C. (2002). Introduction to logic. Buenos Aires, Argentina: Eudeba.
- “Reasoning” on Wikipedia.
- “Difference between inductive and deductive reasoning” (video) in Khan Academy Spanish.
