When people hear the phrase “logical thinking,” they typically assume lawyers, mathematicians, philosophers, and doctors. That’s not wrong; it’s just incomplete. Logical thinking is a foundational skill that we all use every single day. From the moment we wake up in the morning to the moment we fall asleep at night, we utilize logical thinking skills. Logic comes from the Greek word logos, meaning “thought” or “reason.” Many of our decisions and thought processes are based on logic. So much so that you may not even realize you are using logical thinking at the moment. Driving to work, shopping at the grocery store, purchasing a new appliance, or trying to solve even the most minuscule problems involves logical thinking skills. Even as you read through this article, comprehending the words and concepts being presented, you are using your logical thinking skills. Key Takeaways: Logical thinking is the process of observing, analyzing, and then drawing conclusions based on those inferences. There are many different kinds of logic and logical thinking, including: formal logic, informal logic, mathematical logic, inference, inductive reasoning, deductive reasoning, abductive reasoning, and critical thinking. Logic skills help influence both hard and soft skills, such as technical knowledge and communication. Logic is a skill that can be developed with practice and persistence. Logic is the process of thinking and drawing conclusions, but that doesn’t mean the conclusions are always right.
What Is Logical Thinking?Logical thinking is the process of observing, analyzing, and drawing conclusions based on those inferences. To put it in the simplest of terms, logical thinking uses facts and evidence to reach a conclusion or solution; it is the use of both logic and reasoning in your thought processes. Merriam-Webster defines logic as “a science that deals with the principles and criteria of validity of inference and demonstration: the science of the formal principles of reasoning.” The Oxford dictionary defines it more simply: “a way of thinking or explaining something.” We could define logical thinking as the act of using logic in one’s thought processes. It’s simple, to the point, sure. But it doesn’t answer the question. There are many different kinds of logic and logical thinking, including: Formal logic. We usually consider formal logic the more “traditional” type of logic. Sometimes referred to as philosophical logic, it has to do with logic based on the argument informal settings. Informal logic. Similar to formal logic, informal logic is the use of logic outside of the formal settings or in everyday settings. Mathematical logic. This is a subfield of mathematics that focuses on formal logic as it pertains to mathematical applications. Learn more about how mathematical skills can help you at work. Inference. This is a process that infers a logical conclusion based on a premise, not explicit statements. To infer is to deduce, or conclude, based on evidence and reasoning. Inductive reasoning. This is a logical thinking process that forms generalizations based on specific observations known to be true or false. Dive deeper into inductive reasoning. Deductive reasoning. This uses formal logic to prove, or disprove, a theory. It begins with a theory or hypothesis and seeks to support the observations. Think Sherlock Holmes or scientists. Get a better understanding of deductive reasoning. Abductive reasoning. Similar to deductive reasoning, abductive reasoning seeks to prove observations. This is typically done in a “bottom-up” direction as opposed to deductive’s “top-down.” Critical thinking. This is an analysis of facts and evidence to form a judgment or reach a conclusion. See how critical thinking skills can make you a better job candidate.
We may think of logical reasoning skills as something we either have or we don’t. And, while some may be more prone to logical thinking, it is a skill that can be learned and improved. Why Are Logical Thinking Skills Important?Logical thinking is an essential foundational skill. It is used in everyday life. We see logical thinking in mathematics, reading comprehension, and everyday decision-making. Logical thinking allows you to solve problems, set goals, and reason through decisions. It can even assist in creative thinking and so much more. This skill is not only important for your career but your life. Employers look for candidates that display strong sought-after soft skills. Soft skills differ from technical skills, though share similarities with known transferable skills. They are personal attributes/traits or habits as opposed to learned skills. That is not to say that soft skills can’t be learned or strengthened – they certainly can. Unlike soft skills, hard skills, or technical skills, are always attained. They are not skills that come naturally to anyone; though some people can be more naturally adept at certain hard skills than others. You’ll often find these soft skills listed in job descriptions: It is not difficult to see why this is a skill employers highly covet – it is frequently listed in the sought-after soft skills. There is a lot of value in employees who display strong logic and reasoning skills. Those who utilize logical thinking are better able to make decisions based on fact as opposed to emotion. How to Build Logical Thinking SkillsCognitive skills, or cognitive functions, are core skills that your brain uses to do most everything. Without cognitive skills, we cannot process information, preventing us from learning, understanding, retaining, or reasoning. Logic and reasoning are part of these base cognitive skills. It was long thought that cognitive skills were concrete. Much like IQ, we believed that the cognitive functions you were born with were what you were stuck with. We know now that this is not true. The brain is a muscle like any other; cognitive skills can be strengthened with work. Question everything. You can begin to build and strengthen your logical thinking skills by questioning everything. Ask yourself why. Stop making assumptions and begin to reason through your decisions and judgments. Verify facts and separate them from opinion. You can get a more complete view of things when you start asking questions. You’ll be more aware of your thought processes and improve your ability to approach problems with both logic and creativity – a skill that will most certainly help you work more efficiently. Make a habit of pausing and thinking things through before you act. If you take a moment to think through your reasoning logically, you will inevitably strengthen your logic and reasoning skills. Try to interpret patterns, find the most logical solution, etc. Look at the individual details on their own and as part of the whole. Adjust your perspective and question things in-depth, and you’ll find yourself thinking more logically without even trying. Do logic exercises. The best way to strengthen a muscle is to work it. The same applies to a skill such as logical thinking. There are many ways to incorporate logic exercises into your daily routine. The more you practice, the stronger this skill will become. Games like Sudoku and puzzles are an excellent way to practice your logical thinking skills. There are plenty of apps out there that utilize logic and reasoning as well. Puzzle games, math games, card games, and word games can all strengthen this skill without feeling like work. Brain teasers and riddles can help you start to think more critically as well. If you’re looking for more complicated logic exercises, consider free LSAT drills. Logic and reasoning skills are the basis of the LSAT exam; even the writing section requires logical reasoning to interpret and answer the prompt. Try your hand at some Logic Games from the Analytical Reasoning section or answer some questions from the Logical Reasoning section. You can even use the Reading Comprehension section to help strengthen your logical thinking skills. Reading comprehension exercises from any exam or workbook will suffice. LSAC, the maker of the LSAT, provides a free LSAT exam you can use. You can also do some LSAT drills with LSAC’s partner, Khan Academy, for free through their Official LSAT Prep program. Expand your perspective. Socializing, building new relationships, and studying new cultures can all expand your perspective and develop your logical reasoning skills. By seeing things from just one perspective (yours) you are doing yourself a disservice. You may see a different way to approach situations and analyze things differently when you open yourself up to different perspectives. You may be better able to separate facts from opinions (including personal opinion) and approach situations more logically than you may have before. The ability to see things from all perspectives is a highly sought-after skill in the workplace. You will be building two skills when putting this into practice, making you an even better job candidate. Get creative. Despite their being associated with a different hemisphere of the brain, creative thinking and creative activities can help encourage problem-solving, which promotes logical thinking. Painting, learning or playing an instrument, and writing are all creative outlets. They are not solely right hemisphere activities, though. They all require the use of both logic and creativity. When participating in creative activities you enjoy, you can strengthen your critical thinking and problem-solving skills naturally. Music is a language all its own; one you must learn before you can play any instrument. Writing requires you to think creatively while using language. You use your imagination and your visualization skills while also focusing on facts and linear thinking. Both activities are firmly planted in both traditionally left-brained and traditionally right-brained activity. Despite the arts being associated with only creative thinking, you can strengthen your logical thinking skills through these activities.
What is the type of reasoning used to draw conclusions from evidence?
Overview. Inductive reasoning is the process of drawing general conclusions based on many clues, or pieces of evidence. In science, inductive reasoning is used to draw general conclusions from evidence.
What is the process of reasoning from known fact of conclusions?
Deductive reasoning is a logical approach where you progress from general ideas to specific conclusions. It's often contrasted with inductive reasoning, where you start with specific observations and form general conclusions. Deductive reasoning is also called deductive logic.
What is logical thinking skills?
The logical thinking definition is analyzing a situation or problem using reason and coming up with potential solutions. Logical thinkers gather all the information they can, assess the facts, and then methodically decide the best way to move forward.
What are critical thinking skills?
Critical thinking is the ability to analyze facts and form a judgment. It is a form of emotional intelligence. Someone with critical thinking skills can think clearly and rationally when the situation demands it. It allows them to perform problem-solving and decision-making more effectively.
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