deduction
dih-DUK-shuhn
/dɪˈdʌk.ʃən/
The process of reasoning from general premises to a necessary, specific conclusion.
If premises are true and logic is valid, the conclusion is guaranteed to be true.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'deducere', meaning to lead down or derive. Logical deduction leads down from an overarching rule to a specific individual fact.
Word relationships
- inference: Inference covers any conclusion drawn, whereas deduction specifically guarantees certainty from general premises.
- induction: Induction reasons upwards from specific observations to probable general rules.
Commonly confused with
- abduction: Abduction infers the most plausible explanation, whereas deduction guarantees logical truth.
Word family
- deduce (verb): To arrive at a conclusion by logical reasoning.
- deductive (adjective): Characterized by top-down logical deduction.
Collocations
- logical deduction
- process of deduction
- deduction from premises
Example sentences
- "By process of deduction, if all humans are mortal and Socrates is human, then Socrates is mortal." Formal Logic
Memory hook
DEduction DEscends top-down from general rules to specific facts. Top-down certainty.
When not to use
Do not use when generalizing broad principles from a few sample observations.
Fun facts
- Sherlock Holmes famously claimed to use 'deduction', though he frequently performed inductive reasoning and abduction!
Related words
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