International Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences IJBAS-IJENS Vol:10 No:03 49 105303-9595 IJBAS-IJENS © June 2010 IJENS I J E N S Abstract — reasoning is an important part of many fields like logic, artificial intelligence, philosophy of science, and so on. Reasoning can either be deductive (deduction) or it can be inductive (induction). The decisions based on induction are very helpful in research but some times they produce uncertain and unreliable results upon which no reliable decision can be made. This is known as the problem of induction. In this paper, after giving deep introduction of induction and deduction, we explain views of different scholars about the problem. These scholars, unfortunately, do not agree at a single point. At the end of this discussion, we come up with a solution to the problem and conclude it. In our solution, we disagree with the strict decision of either to accept or reject induction. Instead, we are in favor to deal induction in a probable manner. Index Term— Scientific reasoning, induction, deduction, problem of induction I. INT RODUCT ION Reasoning or argumentation is a process to look for reasons. Reasoning uses arguments which are sets of statements or propositions each consists of premises and conclusion . Conclusions are derived from the statements (premises). Reasoning can either be deductive (deduction) or it can be inductive (induction). In an argument, for the assumption that the premises is true and it is impossible that the conclusion is false, the argument is deductive, but if the truth of conclusion is probable then it is inductive argument. One can believe the conclusion if the premises are justified and there is a proper connection between the premises and conclusion of the argument [1]. The connection between the conclusion and the premises is very important, because, otherwise, the reasoning will lead us to a false conclusion. For example, if we say: Mr. Anwar, a computer scientist, has been teaching us computer science for the last two years. Therefore We will become medical doctors. This does not make sense, because being student of a computer scientist for long period, one may become a computer scientist or engineer, for example, but not, of course, a medical doctor. Induction and deduction are one of the attractive areas of different fields like artificial intelligence, logic and philosophy of science. The problem of induction is among one of the problems being faced which needs concentrative studies. Before going deeper into this problem, we need to define and explain deduction and induction. II. DEDUCTION Deductive reasoning or deduction consists of arguments where if the premises are assumed to be true, then it is impossible for the conclusion to be false. Using deduction, there is a formulation of specific conclusion from a general truth [1, 2]. For example: All the teachers in COMSATS are good researchers; Mr. Anwar is a teacher. Therefore Mr. Anwar is a good researcher. The conclusion drawn using deduction is reliable. One can trust the truth of result (truth preserving). In the example above, if we assume the premises that “ all the teachers in COMSATS are good researcher“ and “Mr. Anwar is a researcher“ true, then the conclusion drawn “ Mr. Anwar is a good researcher“ based on the premises is always true. It is impossible for this conclusion to be false (assuming the premises is true). Conclusions are derived from a new idea – an anticipation, a hypothesis, or a theoretical system, using logical deduction. These derived conclusions are compared in themselves and with other statements (if there are any other relevant statements). A logical relation like whether they are equivalent to each other (equivalence), compatible with each other or not (compatibility or incompatibility) and so on, is found. A theory can be tested either by logical comparison of the conclusions with each other, investigating the logical form of the theory (to find out whether it is empirical or scientific), comparing it with other theories or by testing the theory using the way of empirical applications of the conclusions derived from it. The last test finds out how far the new results or Scientific Reasoning: A Solution to the Problem of Induction Wilayat Khan and Habib Ullah COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, 47040, Wah Cantt, PAKISTAN