The Importance of Deductive Reasoning

The Importance of Deductive Reasoning

Michelle Strothman

CRT/205

Instructor Karen Brouillard

February 10, 2013

Every day decisions are made, the decision to wake up to going to sleep at the end of the day, and all the choices that are made in between those times. Each of these choices comes from information needed to make the decision with the intentions of the best outcome. To make the best decision, an individual needs to have as much of the information as possible, critical thinking skills, and time management skills. Without all the information needed can affect the outcome of a decision can end in a negative way, since it is not a completely informed decision that is balanced. For every action there is a reaction, it is up to the individual to choose what the action will be to reach the desired goal of the reaction. In short, it is important to have as much important information of a situation to make the best decision possible that is balanced and meets the desired goal.

With deductive reasoning, consideration is opened to all possibilities; following a logical process that leads to the most realistic conclusion. According to Bluedorn (1995), deductive reasoning proceeds from the general to the particular. From a general conclusion other facts are deduced. The validly of the deduction depends on the truth of the initial conclusion. Deductive reasoning is important in that it starts with a group of ideas (premises) and based on those ideas (information) a person is able to reach a conclusion. For example, in the argument 2 example (University of Phoenix, 2012), Sally feels the family needs a van that is safer and more reliable than the vehicle the family now has. Mark feels the jeep will accommodate the family; provide the safety that Sally is looking for without giving up his carefree style. Deductive reasoning connects the premises (if all premises are true), then the conclusion will be true. This only works if all the...