Using Inductive and Deductive Reasoning through Two Distinct Theories of Logic: Bayesian Confirmation Theory and Syllogism

Logic is the language of reasoning. According to Kit Fine, a Professor of Philosophy, logic is a systematic way of explaining what makes an item valid (Films for Humanities and Science, 2004). As humans seek to validate their thoughts and find truth in the world, this science of reasoning is what allows us to develop conclusions, which can then be accepted as truths. Uniting mathematics, philosophy, language, and other disciplines together to help generate these widely accepted truths, numerous logical theories have emerged since the time of Aristotle to shed light on how our minds deduce and arrive at logical conclusions. Two such theories, Bayesian confirmation theory and syllogism can be used to provide humans with a means to more accurately and easily arrive at truthful conclusion.

Many theories of logic use mathematical terms to show how premises lead to conclusions. The Bayesian confirmation theory relates directly to probability. When applying this theory, a logician must know the probability of a given situation, have a conditional rule, and then he or she must apply the probability when the conditional rule is applied. This theory is used to determine an outcome based on a given condition. The probability of a given situation is x, when y occurs, or the probability is z if it does not occur. If y occurs, then the outcome of the given would be x. For example, if there is a high probability that a storm will occur if a given temperature drops and there is no temperature change, then it will most likely not rain because the temperature did not change (Strevens, 2012). By using observational data such as weather patterns, a person can arrive at a logical prediction or conclusion that will most likely come true based...

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...undervalued the use of inductive reasoning, more modern logicians have embraced the value of this type of thinking and acknowledge that both inductive and deductive reasoning can be used to arrive at more thorough and accurate truths about our world and the situations that occur within it.

As the study of logic has evolved over time, so have the theories that are used to arrive at accepted truths. While the human mind natural seeks to make meaning of the world, it is important to note that reasoning can be fallible, even when the premises are widely accepted truths. Utilizing mathematics, philosophy, and many other disciplines, logicians will continue to attempt to discover ways to uncover universal truths. While the Bayesian confirmation theory and syllogism approach arriving at conclusions in very distinct ways, they both have value in revealing these truths.