CONCEPT OF LOGICAL THINKING
3. ANALOGY
This is an act of comparing one thing with another thing because they share the same features. It is like making reference to an existing something. For instance, Nigeria fought and won Ebola so COVID 19 could be won by using the same format. Analogy may be used in decision making but that does not mean it is usually 100% correct. Example:
1. Adamu is a handsome man
2. Jibril looks like his father - Adamu
3. Therefore Jibril is handsome
GENERALIZATION – This is the kind of information or conclusion derived from the SAMPLE of POPULATION. From few quantity of a thing, you can draw inference about the general lot. Eg:
1. Corruption unites NIGERIANS
2. Lawal is a Nigerian Senator
3. Therefore, Lawal is corrupt. Here corruption is generalised as a uniting factor.
INDUCTIVE AND DEDUCTIVE REASONING
Inductive reasoning is a logical process that involves using specific experience, observations or facts to evaluate a situation. This is an essential tool in statistics, research, probability and day-to-day decision making. For instance, when you use a specific set of data or existing knowledge from past experiences to make decision, you are using inductive reasoning.
Types of Inductive Reasoning
1. Inductive Generalization – this type involves considering from past similar situation to create a conclusion. Eg Large samples, Random sampling and Counter- example.
2. Statistical Induction – this uses statistics data to draw conclusions. This makes use of assumption.
- 90% of the sales team met their quota last month
- Pat is on the sales team.
- Pat likely met his sales quota last year.
3. Casual Reasoning – this involves making a logical connection between a cause and a likely effect. This uses strong observable evidence as point of inference.
- Hauwa consistently gets a stomach ache after eating pears.
- She doesn’t get a stomach ache consistently after eating any other type of fruit.
Eating the pears might cause Hauwa’s stomach aches.