Synonyms
Definition
Logical reasoning is a form of thinking in which premises and relations between premises are used in a rigorous manner to infer conclusions that are entailed (or implied) by the premises and the relations. Different forms of logical reasoning are recognized in philosophy of science and artificial intelligence. Deductive reasoning, considered typical of mathematics, starts with premises and relations, which lead to a conclusion. For example, if A = B and B = C (the premises), the inevitable conclusion is that A = C because equality is a transitive relation. Note that if A ≠ B and B ≠ C, it is not possible to draw the conclusion that A ≠ C because inequality is not a transitive relation. Inductive reasoning, necessary in empirical sciences, uses observations to arrive at premises as well as relations between premises, which are then used to arrive at conclusions. Inductive reasoning cannot convey the certainty of deductive reasoning: Even if the...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Carey, S. (2004). Bootstrapping and the origins of concepts. Daedalus, 133, 59–68.
Dehaene, S. (1992). Varieties of numerical abilities. Cognition, 44, 1–42.
Gelman, R., & Gallistel, C. R. (1978). The child’s understanding of number. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Neyman, J. (1957). “Inductive behavior” as a basic concept of philosophy of science. Revue de l’Institut International de Statistique/Review of the International Statistical Institute, 25, 7–22.
Nunes, T., Bryant, P., Evans, D., Bell, D., Gardner, S., Gardner, A., et al. (2007). The contribution of logical reasoning to the learning of mathematics in primary school. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 25, 147–166.
Piaget, J. (1952). The child’s conception of number. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.
Piaget, J., & Gréco, P. (1959). Apprentissage et connaissance. Paris: Presses Universitaires de France.
Vergnaud, G. (2009). The theory of conceptual fields. Human Development, 52, 83–94.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this entry
Cite this entry
Nunes, T. (2012). Logical Reasoning and Learning. In: Seel, N.M. (eds) Encyclopedia of the Sciences of Learning. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1428-6_790
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1428-6_790
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1427-9
Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1428-6
eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and Law