Deduction vs. Induction — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 16, 2023
Deduction is reasoning from general to specific, ensuring certain conclusions, while Induction is reasoning from specific to general, making probable conclusions.
Difference Between Deduction and Induction
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Deduction involves starting with a general statement or hypothesis and examining the possibilities to reach a specific, logical conclusion. On the other hand, Induction takes specific observations and makes broad generalizations.
In Deduction, if premises are true, the conclusion is certain. With Induction, even if the premises are true, conclusions are only probable.
One could think of Deduction as moving from a theory to its confirmation, while Induction moves from observations to theory.
The Sherlock Holmes method, for example, often involves Deduction: from the general truths about human nature and specific observations, he arrives at a particular conclusion. Induction, conversely, might involve observing multiple instances to arrive at a general principle.
Both Deduction and Induction are vital in scientific methods, with Deduction providing specific predictions from general theories and Induction drawing general conclusions from specific observations.
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Comparison Chart
Direction of Reasoning
General to specific.
Specific to general.
Conclusions
Certain.
Probable.
Basis
Starts with a theory or hypothesis.
Begins with observations or cases.
Example
All men are mortal. Socrates is a man. Hence, Socrates is mortal.
Observing the sun rise in the east every day and concluding it always rises there.
Certainty Level
If premises are true, the conclusion is definitive.
Even if premises are true, the conclusion is not guaranteed.
Compare with Definitions
Deduction
Reasoning from the general to the specific.
Using Deduction, we can determine that all kittens are mammals.
Induction
The production of an electric or magnetic state.
The Induction stove is faster than traditional ones.
Deduction
Drawing of a conclusion.
After much thought, his Deduction was that she had left town.
Induction
The process of being formally introduced to a position.
The Induction into the Hall of Fame was an honor.
Deduction
Process of reaching a certain conclusion.
Through careful Deduction, she solved the puzzle.
Induction
The act or an instance of inducting.
Deduction
Subtraction or removal of a part.
The Deduction from his salary was noticeable.
Induction
A ceremony or formal act by which a person is inducted, as into office or military service.
Deduction
The action of deducting or subtracting something
The dividend will be paid without deduction of tax
Induction
The generation of electromotive force in a closed circuit by a varying magnetic flux through the circuit.
Deduction
The inference of particular instances by reference to a general law or principle
We do not yet know if these deductions are correct
The detective must uncover the murderer by deduction from facts
Induction
The charging of an isolated conducting object by momentarily grounding it while a charged body is nearby.
Deduction
The act of deducting; subtraction.
Induction
The process of deriving general principles from particular facts or instances.
Deduction
An amount that is or may be deducted
Tax deductions.
Induction
A conclusion reached by this process.
Deduction
The drawing of a conclusion by reasoning; the act of deducing.
Induction
(Mathematics)A two-part method of proving a theorem involving an integral parameter. First the theorem is verified for the smallest admissible value of the integer. Then it is proven that if the theorem is true for any value of the integer, it is true for the next greater value. The final proof conns the two parts.
Deduction
The process of reasoning in which a conclusion follows necessarily from the stated premises; inference by reasoning from the general to the specific.
Induction
(Medicine)The inducing of labor, whereby labor is initiated artificially with drugs such as oxytocin.
Deduction
A conclusion reached by this process.
Induction
(Medicine)The administration of anesthetic agents and the establishment of a depth of anesthesia adequate for surgery.
Deduction
That which is deducted; that which is subtracted or removed
Induction
(Biochemistry)The process of initiating or increasing the production of an enzyme, as in genetic transcription.
Deduction
A sum that can be removed from tax calculations; something that is written off
You might want to donate the old junk and just take the deduction.
Induction
(Embryology)The process by which one part of an embryo causes adjacent tissues or parts to change form or shape, as by the diffusion of hormones or other chemicals.
Deduction
(logic) A process of reasoning that moves from the general to the specific, in which a conclusion follows necessarily from the premises presented, so that the conclusion cannot be false if the premises are true.
Induction
Presentation of material, such as facts or evidence, in support of an argument or proposition.
Deduction
A conclusion; that which is deduced, concluded or figured out
He arrived at the deduction that the butler didn't do it.
Induction
A preface or prologue, especially to an early English play.
Deduction
The ability or skill to deduce or figure out; the power of reason
Through his powers of deduction, he realized that the plan would never work.
Induction
An act of inducting.
Deduction
Act or process of deducing or inferring.
The deduction of one language from another.
This process, by which from two statements we deduce a third, is called deduction.
Induction
A formal ceremony in which a person is appointed to an office or into military service.
Deduction
Act of deducting or taking away; subtraction; as, the deduction of the subtrahend from the minuend.
Induction
The process of showing a newcomer around a place where they will work or study.
Deduction
That which is deduced or drawn from premises by a process of reasoning; an inference; a conclusion.
Make fair deductions; see to what they mount.
Induction
An act of inducing.
Deduction
That which is or may be deducted; the part taken away; abatement; as, a deduction from the yearly rent in compensation for services; deductions from income in calculating income taxes.
Induction
(physics) Generation of an electric current by a varying magnetic field.
Deduction
A reduction in the gross amount on which a tax is calculated; reduces taxes by the percentage fixed for the taxpayer's income bracket
Induction
(logic) Derivation of general principles from specific instances.
Deduction
An amount or percentage deducted
Induction
(mathematics) A method of proof of a theorem by first proving it for a specific case (often an integer; usually 0 or 1) and showing that, if it is true for one case then it must be true for the next.
Deduction
Something that is inferred (deduced or entailed or implied);
His resignation had political implications
Induction
(theater) Use of rumors to twist and complicate the plot of a play or to narrate in a way that does not have to state truth nor fact within the play.
Deduction
Reasoning from the general to the particular (or from cause to effect)
Induction
(embryology) Given a group of cells that emits or displays a substance, the influence of this substance on the fate of a second group of cells
Deduction
The act of subtracting (removing a part from the whole);
He complained about the subtraction of money from their paychecks
Induction
(mechanical engineering) The delivery of air to the cylinders of an internal combustion piston engine.
Deduction
The act of reducing the selling price of merchandise
Induction
(medicine) The process of inducing the birth process.
Deduction
A conclusion derived through logical reasoning.
Her Deduction about the crime was correct.
Induction
(obsolete) An introduction.
Induction
The act or process of inducting or bringing in; introduction; entrance; beginning; commencement.
I know not you; nor am I well pleased to make this time, as the affair now stands, the induction of your acquaintance.
These promises are fair, the parties sure,And our induction dull of prosperous hope.
Induction
An introduction or introductory scene, as to a play; a preface; a prologue.
This is but an induction: I will drawThe curtains of the tragedy hereafter.
Induction
The act or process of reasoning from a part to a whole, from particulars to generals, or from the individual to the universal; also, the result or inference so reached.
Induction is an inference drawn from all the particulars.
Induction is the process by which we conclude that what is true of certain individuals of a class, is true of the whole class, or that what is true at certain times will be true in similar circumstances at all times.
Induction
The introduction of a clergyman into a benefice, or of an official into a office, with appropriate acts or ceremonies; the giving actual possession of an ecclesiastical living or its temporalities.
Induction
A process of demonstration in which a general truth is gathered from an examination of particular cases, one of which is known to be true, the examination being so conducted that each case is made to depend on the preceding one; - called also successive induction.
Induction
The property by which one body, having electrical or magnetic polarity, causes or induces it in another body without direct contact; an impress of electrical or magnetic force or condition from one body on another without actual contact.
Induction
A formal entry into an organization or position or office;
His initiation into the club
He was ordered to report for induction into the army
He gave a speech as part of his installation into the hall of fame
Induction
An electrical phenomenon whereby an electromotive force (EMF) is generated in a closed circuit by a change in the flow of current
Induction
Reasoning from detailed facts to general principles
Induction
The process whereby changes in the current flow in a circuit produce magnetism or an EMF
Induction
Stimulation that calls up (draws forth) a particular class of behaviors;
The elicitation of his testimony was not easy
Induction
(physics) a property of an electric circuit by which an electromotive force is induced in it by a variation of current
Induction
The act of bringing about something (especially at an early time);
The induction of an anesthetic state
Induction
An act that sets in motion some course of events
Induction
Drawing a general conclusion from specific cases.
Through Induction, he concluded all birds can fly after observing several flying species.
Induction
Introduction or leading into something.
The Induction ceremony was beautiful.
Induction
A method of proving a universal statement.
Scientists use Induction to create new hypotheses.
Common Curiosities
Is Deduction always certain?
In logical reasoning, if the premises in Deduction are true, the conclusion is certain.
Does Induction always begin with an observation?
Typically, Induction starts with specific observations and leads to broad generalizations.
Is Induction used in science?
Yes, scientists often use Induction to draw general conclusions from specific observations.
How is Induction used in electronics?
In electronics, Induction refers to the production of an electric or magnetic state.
Is Deduction more like a top-down approach?
Yes, Deduction is a top-down approach, moving from general to specific.
Can a reasoning be both Deduction and Induction?
While they're distinct processes, some arguments can involve both deductive and inductive elements.
Can Deduction lead to new theories?
Deduction usually derives conclusions from existing theories; Induction often leads to new hypotheses or theories
In what fields is Deduction commonly used?
Deduction is used in logic, mathematics, and various sciences for drawing certain conclusions.
Can Induction guarantee 100% accurate conclusions?
No, Induction provides probable conclusions, not guaranteed ones.
Are all forms of Deduction related to reasoning?
No, Deduction can also refer to things like a subtraction from an amount.
Can a Deduction be incorrect?
A Deduction can be incorrect if the initial premises are flawed or untrue.
Is Induction always based on evidence?
Induction typically relies on specific evidence or observations to make broader generalizations.
Are Deduction and Induction opposites?
They're contrasting methods of reasoning but aren't strictly opposites.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
