Pedagogical 'Pinings': Dewey Chapter 7 - Systematic Inference

Pedagogical 'Pinings': Dewey Chapter 7 - Systematic Inference: "Thoughts?"

Dewey states that through systematic thinking, “hasty acceptance of any idea that is plausible, that seems to solve the difficulty, is changed into a conditional acceptance pending further inquiry” (p. 81). He describes the differences in thought processes and conclusions drawn from both deductive and induction reasoning. “Conditional acceptance” entails a movement from a suggested or hypothesized idea to fact confirmation. It is a methodical process of ensuring an observation made does not lead to a calcified belief, rather an observation made is suspended and juxtaposed with one fact after another, finally leading to an acceptance or refutation of the initial idea.  

Understanding the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning, I think, is key here. With induction, if a series of premises are true, they lead to a probable truth. With deduction, if the premises are true, it is impossible for the conclusion to be false. Dewey states that the inductive process is one which involves discovering a binding principle. It looks at fragmented details and tries to make from them a possible conclusion. The deductive process involves testing the details, and from this confirmation or refutation process, a truth is drawn.  

As I understand it, Dewey describes the thinking and discovery process as needing to start with induction, and not to stop there, but to lead to deduction. I’ve summarized the example of the man who observes his room in a scattered state below using the two argument methods:

The room has things strewn about.

Burglars cause things to be strewn about when they break-in.

Inductive argument: Burglars caused the items in the room to be strewn about.

The room has things strewn about.

There are missing valuables from the room.

The mischievous children were not in or around the room at the time of the change.

The property (window/doors) are compromised.

(and other facts…)

Deductive argument: Therefore, burglars caused the items to be strewn about.

In this way, Dewey states, “Belief culminates; the original isolated facts have been woven into a coherent fabric” (P. 83).