Reasoning in artificial intelligence has two important forms: Inductive reasoning and Deductive reasoning. Both reasoning forms have premises and conclusions, but both reasoning forms are contradictory to each other.
Let’s recap the basic things about Inductive and Deductive Reasoning.
What is Inductive Reasoning?
Inductive Reasoning is a logical construct where we arrive at a particular conclusion by observing certain patterns or experiences.
The inductive approach helps us to reach a conclusion on the basis of probabilities, and as we know, probabilities are not always completely true.
Let’s see some examples to understand Inductive Reasoning in Artificial Intelligence:
Penguins are Birds, and they cannot fly. Similarly, Ostriches are also birds, and they also cannot fly. So, from this, we can conclude that Birds cannot fly.
But this conclusion is not true as it is not based on facts but on observations.
Examples:
Data: Ostriches and Penguins are birds, and they can’t fly
Hypothesis: Birds cannot fly
Data: Every person talks to me in a friendly way
Hypothesis: Every person is friendly
Data: Every cow I see is white.
Hypothesis: Most of the cows are white
What is Deductive Reasoning?
The Deductive Reasoning, which means deduction, is derived from the word deduce. It is a basic construct in which facts, knowledge, or general principles are used to achieve a specific conclusion.
In order to reach a specific conclusion, the reasoning used as the basis is known to be a true statement. For example, “All milk-giving animals have 4 legs”. Based on this statement, one can reasonably conclude that, because all milk-giving animals have 4 legs, then cows have 4 legs, so do buffalo and goats.
The Deductive also consists of premises in which one premise is used to support another premise in order to prove the 3rd premise. It basically works like this: if a = b and b = c, then a must be equal to c. It consists of 3 parts: the Major Premise, Minor Premise, and the Conclusion.
Examples:
Major Premise: All mammals have 2 eyes.
Minor Premise: Humans are mammals.
Conclusion: Humans have 2 eyes.
Major Premise: All members of the Cat Family are flexible
Minor Premise: Tiger is also a Cat
Conclusion: Tigers are flexible
Differences between Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
| Inductive Reasoning | Deductive Reasoning |
|---|---|
| Inductive reasoning involves making a generalization from specific facts and observations. | Deductive reasoning uses available facts, information, or knowledge to deduce a valid conclusion, |
| Inductive reasoning uses a bottom-up approach. | Deductive reasoning uses a top-down approach. |
| Inductive reasoning moves from specific observation to a generalization. | Deductive reasoning moves from a generalized statement to a valid conclusion. |
| In inductive reasoning, the conclusions are probabilistic. | In deductive reasoning, the conclusions are certain. |
| An inductive argument can be strong or weak, which means the conclusion may be false even if the premises are true. | Deductive arguments can be valid or invalid, which means that if the premises are true, the conclusion must be true. |
The differences between inductive and deductive reasoning can be explained using the diagram below on the basis of arguments:
Comparison Chart:
| Basis for comparison | Deductive Reasoning | Inductive Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Deductive reasoning is the form of valid reasoning, to deduce new information or conclusion from known related facts and information. | Inductive reasoning arrives at a conclusion by the process of generalization using specific facts or data. |
| Approach | Deductive reasoning follows a top-down approach. | Inductive reasoning follows a bottom-up approach. |
| Starts from | Deductive reasoning starts from Premises. | Inductive reasoning starts from the Conclusion. |
| Validity | In deductive reasoning conclusion must be true if the premises are true. | In inductive reasoning, the truth of premises does not guarantee the truth of conclusions. |
| Usage | Use of deductive reasoning is difficult, as we need facts which must be true. | Use of inductive reasoning is fast and easy, as we need evidence instead of true facts. We often use it in our daily life. |
| Process | Theory→ hypothesis→ patterns→confirmation. | Observations-→patterns→hypothesis→Theory. |
| Argument | In deductive reasoning, arguments may be valid or invalid. | In inductive reasoning, arguments may be weak or strong. |
| Structure | Deductive reasoning reaches from general facts to specific facts. | Inductive reasoning reaches from specific facts to general facts. |
Conclusion
We have learned that reasoning in artificial intelligence has two important forms: Inductive reasoning and Deductive reasoning. Both reasoning forms have premises and conclusions, but both reasoning forms are contradictory to each other. Deductive reasoning is a form of valid reasoning, to deduce new information or a conclusion from known related facts and information, whereas Inductive reasoning arrives at a conclusion by the process of generalization using specific facts or data.
Difference between Inductive and Deductive Reasoning FAQs
1. What is Deductive Reasoning?
The Deductive Reasoning, which means deduction, is derived from the word deduce. It is a basic construct in which facts, knowledge, or general principles are used to achieve a specific conclusion.
2. What is Inductive Reasoning?
Inductive Reasoning is a logical construct where we arrive at a particular conclusion by observing certain patterns or experiences. The inductive approach helps us to reach a conclusion on the basis of probabilities, and as we know, probabilities are not always completely true.
3. What is the main difference between Inductive and Deductive Reasoning?
The main difference between Inductive and Deductive Reasoning is that:
Inductive Reasoning achieves or reaches a particular conclusion by observing certain patterns or experiences, whereas
In Deductive Reasoning, the facts, knowledge, or general principles are used to achieve a specific conclusion.
4. Where is Inductive Reasoning used?
Inductive reasoning is used for various purposes, such as:
- Scientific Research
- Data analysis & AI (Machine Learning Models)
- Everyday decision-making based on patterns
5. Where is Deductive Reasoning used?
Deductive reasoning is also used for various purposes, such as:
- Mathematics & logic proofs
- Legal reasoning
- Computer programming
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