The three methods for logical reasoning, deduction, induction, and abduction can be explained in the following way (taken from ^*):

Given α, β, and the rule R₁ : α ∴ β

• Deduction is using the rule and its preconditions to make a conclusion (α ∧ R₁ ⇒ β).

• Induction is learning R₁ after numerous examples of β and α.

• Abduction is using the postcondition and the rule to assume that the precondition could explain the postcondition (β ∧ R₁ ⇒ α).

See also

• Reason
• Logic
• Logical fallacy
• Reasoning
• Deductive reasoning
• Inductive reasoning
• Abductive reasoning
• Defeasible reasoning

References

^* T. Menzies. Applications of Abduction: Knowledge-Level Modeling. November 1996.

Concepts logiques | 逻辑推理

Logic