Inductive and Deductive -- A Way of Thinking

Hello Dear Ones,

I thought I would share one side of The Manse today. Looks good out there, but too cold to saunter or stroll. Great for sitting at the table with a window view.

Today I am writing about the concept of  inductive reasoning and deductive reasoning. More information is available on other sites but I'm approaching it from a family view to show how it can benefit the home.  Basically it is a Biblical approach verses a worldly approach.  I've heard this in a couple of sermons and it helped a lot when it came to teaching my children.

Maybe you have had occasion to use it, too.

Let me give an example first.

You might have an older child who is able to discuss something but not mentally and spiritually equipped to draw the right conclusion.

Let us suppose he or she asks why you are so careful with money; why you always look for the best price, shop the sales, delay buying things until you have enough money, or look for ways to make it yourself.

Let us also suppose you begin to explain how this keeps money from going out, too fast, leaving you struggling at the end of the month to pay bills or buy food. Perhaps you attempt to elaborate on that by giving an account of how much extra things cost, and why you avoid emotional shopping or spur of the moment decisions. You explain that you have your own plans and dreams but you don't want to jump into anything if it is a financial risk or will cause you to have debt that you might not be able to pay quickly. 

The person, with all the wisdom of their age (15? 20? Older than this?) says something like:

"You are against me (shopping, going on vacation, being with friends, having a pet, trying new things, having freedom, getting a car, etc.).

This response is inductive. In brings the thoughts INWARD to their own soft spots, high places, desires and dreams.  It actually does not make application of the facts the other person was trying to portray: stable minded decisions, weighing all factors such as "Is it good for us? Will it cause future hardship?  Is it only a temporary pleasure? Is it causing trouble in the home? Will it be worth it in the long run? Can I substitute something? Can I make it myself? Will it help my family? Is it spiritually, physically, mentally harmful to anyone in the home?" and many other factors. 

Rather than taking these point into consideration, the INDUCTIVE person will simply cover it all with a blanket statement; perhaps something like, "You are too legalistic" or "You just want me to be isolated." 

While admitting that inductive reasoning IS necessary in many cases, it doesn't necessarily work all the time. For example you are overweight and you want to do something about it it. Your new diet recommends no sugar or carbs for awhile, or a reduction of those things you tend to eat too much of.  Your mind says, "But I like ice cream.  This diet doesn't care about me."

Oh but people do care about you. When you are losing your health, these sacrifices are important, not your personal pleasures.  And so DEDUCTIVE reasoning must be engaged.

Deductive reasoning says:  the facts are thus and such. If I want to be thin, I've got to follow this plan.  

Deductive reasoning says, "The Bible teaches us to get along with others and not be offensive, to speak graciously, etc. so I must adjust myself to that. I will try not to be so argumentative. I will figure out ways to converse without arguing."

Inductive reasoning says, "I feel more fulfilled when I argue and tell off someone because I don't think its right to keep it all inside." 

We can see that great people will always go back to the main principles and points of a problem or a solution.  They follow a code of living, not a feeling.  

I have seen more of this inductive reasoning in recent times.  Unwilling to reason according to principles and facts and even laws, Biblical or civic, they resort to inductive reasoning. This kind of reasoning leads them to conflict in many areas. 

   Someone may say, "Its not good for you to to smoke, and vaping is still bad for you." The person may say, "My friend vapes and she is a nice, successful person. Therefore I think vaping is okay."  This is inductive reasoning. 

 Deductive reasoning would say, "I see how my body is important to God, to treat well and preserve so that I can serve him. I know that smoking or vaping (often touted as a substitute) is not good for my body. 

Inductive reasoning says, "I am happy wearing immodest clothing. I'm doing well in life. Therefore I can wear this to someone's house even if it would offend them"

Deductive reasoning says, "The person I'm about to visit would be offended if my dress is too immodest. Therefore I will be thoughtful of her when I visit and I will alter my own desires to accommodate her."

Inductive reasoning says "I have an aunt who did such and such. .She was a nice person. Therefore, its okay to do such and such.

Deductive reasoning says, "The Bible warns about such and such. Therefore I want to align my life with that."

You can look up inductive and deductive reasoning and read more about it. I think it is important if you are teaching children at home.

And also you might like a book called "The Fallacy Detective."

I might talk more about this on a video. We will see.