ELEMENTS OF THE SOCRATIC METHOD .2. INDUCTIVE REASONING

The Socratic method uses systematic questioning and inductive reasonin g to help clients derive universal definitions. The present manuscript describes inductive reasoning as used in psychotherapy. Inductive rea soning can be based on enumerative generalizations, analogical compari sons, and eliminative causal reasoning. Enumerative generalizations us e pattern identification to support a conclusion about an entire group of events. Analogical comparisons help clients transfer knowledge fro m familiar to novel situations. Eliminative causal reasoning involves manipulating environmental conditions to examine possible causes of sp ecific problematic events. After a probable cause has been identified, it can be modified through treatment. The clinical utility and fallac ies of logical reasoning are discussed as they apply to each of the th ree forms of inductive reasoning. In general, inductive reasoning play s a central role in the Socratic method and can be a valuable tool in psychotherapy.