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Deduction and induction are two kinds of reasoning. The difference between them lies in the relation that purportedly exists between the argument's premises and its conclusion.
In deductive reasoning, the person offering the argument takes it that the premises guarantee the truth of the conclusion. If the premises are true, it's impossible that the conclusion could be false. Deductive reasoning doesn't go beyond the information that's already contained in the premises.
In inductive reasoning, the premises are intended to give some evidence that the conclusion is true. If the premises are true, the conclusion is probably true (but could still turn out to be false). Inductive reasoning purports to extend our knowledge, i.e., to draw a conclusion which goes beyond the information contained in the premises.
If your TOK text book offers a definition in terms of 'the general' and 'the particular' click here for an important note.
Let's try a practice exercise...
Sort the white boxes into two categories according to whether the arguments they contain are deductive or inductive:
Drag this image onto the workspace to proceed. You must be using the inbuilt browser in Rationale 1.3 or later.
After you've finished this exercise drag this thumbnail onto the workspace to see the model answer:
This material has been developed independently of the International Baccalaureate, which in no way endorses it.
© Austhink 2013. Rationale Exercises version 0.1, Jan-13
