Which term best matches the description Broad generalizations, general to specific?

Which term best matches the description Broad generalizations, general to specific?

• A. Inductive Reasoning
• B. Deductive Reasoning
• C. Abductive Reasoning
• D. Theories

Answer: (A)

Deductive reasoning fits this description. It starts with a general rule or principle and uses it to determine a specific conclusion about an individual case. For example, if the general rule is “All mammals breathe air” and you know that a whale is a mammal, you deduce that a whale breathes air. This is the general-to-specific flow. In contrast, inductive reasoning goes the other way: it starts with specific observations and builds up to a general statement, such as observing several swans and concluding that all swans are white. Abductive reasoning involves inferring the best explanation for a set of facts, not strictly applying a general rule to a case. Theories are broad frameworks that explain phenomena, not the reasoning process itself.

Deductive reasoning fits this description. It starts with a general rule or principle and uses it to determine a specific conclusion about an individual case. For example, if the general rule is “All mammals breathe air” and you know that a whale is a mammal, you deduce that a whale breathes air. This is the general-to-specific flow.

In contrast, inductive reasoning goes the other way: it starts with specific observations and builds up to a general statement, such as observing several swans and concluding that all swans are white. Abductive reasoning involves inferring the best explanation for a set of facts, not strictly applying a general rule to a case. Theories are broad frameworks that explain phenomena, not the reasoning process itself.