Deductive Reasoning and Conclusion Certainty
In deductive reasoning, the structure of the argument is key. When an argument is structured correctly (valid) and its starting points (premises) are true, the final statement derived from them (the conclusion) must also be true.
The Role of Premises and Conclusion
- Premises: These are the statements assumed to be true at the start of the reasoning process.
- Conclusion: This is the statement that logically follows from the premises.
Reasoning Validity Explained
A core principle in logic is that for a deductive argument:
- If the premises are true, AND
- If the argument form is valid,
- Then the conclusion cannot possibly be false.
Therefore, when the premises are true, the conclusion is the part of the reasoning process that is guaranteed to be true.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
- Argument: An argument includes both premises and the conclusion. While a valid argument with true premises leads to a true conclusion, the argument itself isn't the single element that *cannot* be false; it's the conclusion derived within it.
- Thoughts: Thoughts are subjective and mental processes; they don't have the same logical necessity tied to true premises as a conclusion does.
- Propositions: Propositions are statements that can be true or false. While premises and conclusions are propositions, the specific element guaranteed true *because* of true premises in a valid argument is the conclusion.
Important Questions from Reasoning
'Neigh' is related to 'Horse' in the same way as 'Bleat' is related to ____
Three of the following four letter-clusters are alike in a certain way and one is different. Select the odd one.
Given below are two statements : One is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R) :
Assertion (A): Substance is always the subject of all predicates.
Reason (R): Substance is self-existent and self-conceived.
In the light of the above statements. choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Given below is a question followed by three statements. Identify the statements that are necessary to answer the question.
Question: What is the percentage profit gained by a vendor when he sells an article?
Statements:
(i) He gives a 10% discount on the marked price.
(ii) He would have earned 25% profit if he did not give any discount.
(iii) The cost price of the article is Rs. 8000.
Choose the correct option from those given below :
Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Human reason has this peculiar fate that it reaches at a stage when it can neither answer certain questions nor can it ignore such questions.
Statement II: Human reason, by its own nature, is not competent to resolve certain questions concerning the ultimate reality.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below
