Question

What are two elements of deductive reasoning?

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Answered by GPT-4o mini
Two key elements of deductive reasoning are:

1. **Premises**: These are the statements or propositions that provide the foundation for the argument. They are assumed to be true and lead to a conclusion. In a deductive argument, the premises contain the information necessary to reach a conclusion.

2. **Conclusion**: This is the statement derived from the premises. In deductive reasoning, if the premises are true and the reasoning is valid, the conclusion must also be true. Deductive reasoning aims to provide a logical certainty about the conclusion based on the premises.

For example, in the classic syllogism:
- Premise 1: All humans are mortal.
- Premise 2: Socrates is a human.
- Conclusion: Therefore, Socrates is mortal.

Here, the premises lead to the conclusion in a logically valid manner.

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