déductifdéductive

The term "déductifdéductive" is a French adjective that translates to "deductive" in English. It describes a process of reasoning or a method of argument where a conclusion is reached by starting with general principles or premises and applying them to specific cases. This type of reasoning moves from the general to the specific.

In logic, deductive reasoning is contrasted with inductive reasoning, which moves from specific observations to broader generalizations. A deductive argument is considered valid if its conclusion necessarily follows from its premises. If the premises are true, then the conclusion of a valid deductive argument must also be true.

For example, a classic deductive argument is: All men are mortal. Socrates is a man. Therefore, Socrates is mortal. Here, the conclusion that Socrates is mortal is a direct and necessary consequence of the two general premises. The term "déductifdéductive" can be applied to various fields, including mathematics, philosophy, and scientific inquiry, wherever a systematic process of drawing specific conclusions from established general rules is employed. It is a fundamental concept in formal logic and critical thinking.