What is inductive reasoning? What is deductive reasoning? Which is more likely to be useful when practicing the art of persuasion? Why? Can we think without using language? How can language influence our perceptions?

What is inductive reasoning? What is deductive reasoning?

Induction and deduction are the two modes of scientific ways of knowing (Epistemology). One acquires knowledge through Inductive reasoning when the activities involve studying patterns, observing them through the senses, and making generalizations.
Deductive reasoning is just the opposite of the inductive one. It is reasoning from statements/propositions that are generally believed or known to be true, and then move on to observe particular/individual cases for confirmation/refutation. The following illustrates how they both help us in developing theories.

Deductive Model of Inductive Model of
Theory development Theory development

Steps Steps

1) Theory 1) Observation

2) Hypothesis 2) Empirical generalization

3) Observation 3) Theory

Which kind of reasoning is more likely to be useful when practicing the art of persuasion? Why?

In scientific inquiry, both inductive and deductive reasoning are important for the search of knowledge. However, because most people we talk to tend to be easily convinced by what they see, what they hear, what they feel etc (i.e. observation), I think inductive reasoning is more likely to be useful when practicing the art of persuasion. For instance, it is very easy for politicians to pin-point the weaknesses of their opponents (mismanagement, corruption, environmental pollution etc.) to score political points than to convince the electorates with a well structured, systematic and rational deductive reasoning for their policies. But note that this is not to rule out the necessity of inductive reasoning in logic.

Can we think without using language?

It is possible for thinking activity to on within our minds independently of any language. But the question is, how may we express our thoughts without language? It is for this reason that some logicians think that we cannot even have thoughts without language. So reasoning, thinking, and language are inexplicably intertwined.

How can language influence our perceptions?

Our perception, just as out thoughts, is expressed by language. But because the number of words in any language is finite and our perceptual moods remain diverse and manifold, it is sometimes difficult to describe our perception using such limited words. Moreover, logicians have observed that though written and spoken languages are connected, they are not identical. Language, thus, could distort or influence our perception especially in the case of the former.