This week, we're studying different forms of reasoning. As the blog post stated, I'll cover each type and give a real world example for each concept.
Reasoning By Analogy: To use an analogy in an argument or any form of reasoning, what you're essentially doing is drawing a comparison between two different subjects. It can be used to further cement your point, or it can be used to make something more understandable if either one of the subjects is unknown to the other person.
Example: The severe crackdown by the DEA on medical marijuana shops in San Jose is like treating dandruff with decapitation.
Sign Reasoning: Sign reasoning deals with the assumption of either an event or some form of symbol is a reliable indicator of another event/symbol/etc. A common expression I read while researching is "judging a book by its cover".
Example: "That guy over there has tattoos and baggy pants. He must be in a gang."
Causal Reasoning: Causal reasoning deals with the establishment between the "cause" and the "effect" of events in succession, where the second event is caused by the first. Usually, it's used to prevent/alter the outcome of something by changing the cause to prevent whatever effects might be present.
Example: Lung cancer and cigarettes. To prevent the proven effects (cancer), people should stop smoking cigarettes (cause).
Reasoning By Criteria: When reasoning by critera, we usually try to imply certain points without directly speaking our minds.
Example:
Joe: "I've been practicing a lot lately. Here, I'll play what I've been working on." *plays*
Band Director: *Cringing* "Well...you're getting better."
Instead of flat out saying "you suck", the band director chooses a much nicer and more encouraging approach to an aspiring musician.
Reasoning By Example: A form of reasoning that uses real-world examples to make a point.
Example: "You really need to study longer. Bob studies a lot longer than you do."
Inductive Reasoning: Inductive reasoning focuses on applying past observations/experiences in your present/future arguments or statements.
Example: I have an Econ class that is only on Mondays from 6:30-9:15 every week. Each week, I've left at 6 pm and have gotten there early every single time. This past Monday I ran into heavy traffic. I'll leave earlier next Monday to ensure I don't end up being late to class because of traffic.
Deductive Reasoning: We dealt with deductive reasoning a lot when studying general forms of logical arguments. Deductive reasoning is pretty much deducing from a general statement down to a specific point (like the whole A, B, then A argument).
Example: All college students must take a communications course. Jerry is a college student. Therefore, Jerry has to take a communications course.
Hey Anthony, nice post on the different reasonings that you have explained really well and clear. There were many examples that I could relate to especially the sign reasoning that you explained. It is definitely a reasoning of judgement. However, there are many other reasons to support sign reasoning but sometimes we do not think before we say something. In my experience, my high school had a couple of students who were in groups related to gang. It was the colors you wore that made you a specific member such as wearing red or blue. However, it is hard to wear these colors because students will assume you are in one. Therefore, there reasoning was an assumption if you wore one of the colors. Nice post!
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ReplyDeleteYour examples for the different types of reasoning were clear and understandable. Your example for Reasoning for Criteria helped me understand the concept that I had trouble with. Most people use this reasoning to get their point across without sounding harsh. They "sugar coat" their statement rather than saying the blunt response they initially think of. For example, someone is struggling in a class but the professor wouldn't just go up to the person and say "your failing my class pick up your slack." The professor would probably say something along the lines as, "Maybe you should look into getting a tutor for this class to to get your grades up."
Hey there! I enjoyed your examples for the different reasonings. I thought you were very thorough in your examples of each. Some of your examples actually helped me understand more of the concept more clearly and thoroughly. I liked your contrast of causal and inductive reasoning. They are very similar in nature but you have clearly shown the difference. Both have a cause and effect nature, but with causal reasoning you used a scientific observation using what cigarette smoke does to your health scientifically, but with inductive reasoning you used a more personal reasoning where you used a personal experience with traffic.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post. Your examples were clear and very easy to understand. It helped me understand the different types of reasoning a lot better. I liked your example of sign reasoning because like you said, it is like judging a book by its cover. Your example can definitely relate to everyone on a daily basis because some people do judge based on outer appearances before they actually get to know someone. The example you used about someone having tattoos and wearing baggy pants that would most likely be assumed to be in a gang can be applied in the real world today.
ReplyDeleteI liked how you divided all the different concepts and you also explained them very well too. A lot of your example made sense and were very clear. I like your example for sign reasoning. That is very true how people think that just because a person wears baggy pants and has tattoos means that there in a gang. I know many people who have tattoos and wear baggy jeans but they are not a part of a gang. I also like your example of reasoning by criteria. I bet it made a lot of the people understand the concept more.
ReplyDeleteHey I really enjoyed reading your post. when reading the book, i didn't find it very helpful when they explained their different type of reasoning. but your examples are soo simple and they make sense. I had difficulties with reasoning by criteria. It actually means to insinuate in a nicer way like you mentioned in your example. A lot of people also make the mistake of sign reasoning and it can be understandable, but it is not always true. For example, some funky food may look suspicious but it doesn't mean it is going to taste bad. It's always best to try before judging :).
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