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I have been told that Sherlock Holmes is never actually quoted saying his famous phrase "Elementary, my dear Watson." However, all of his detective stories focus on the "simplicity" of mysteries once they have been explained. Does the famous Baker Street detective rely more on deductive reasoning than inductive, or are both processes of reasoning equally important? Can you give a couple examples of each? Posted by parkerlee on Nov 21, 2008. |
Sherlock Holmes Group
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Eureka! There is a two-in-one example in The Hound of the Baskervilles. When a guest leaves his walking stick behind, Holmes (with Watson, this time!) makes several conjectures about its owner; here both deductive and inductive methods of reasoning are used: Inductive: Watson notices the quality of the stick and its evident wear. He speculates that it might belong to an elderly revered gentleman, possibly of his own professsion (a doctor). Inductive: Holmes attempts to decipher the engraving on the handle, proposing that the 'C.C.H.' initials could eventually stand for 'Charing Cross Hospital.' Deductive and Inductive: He also notices the scratches in the middle of the stick and supposes they are the bite marks of a small hunting dog:
Posted by parkerlee on Nov 25, 2008. |
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How holmes pay for his fault or never mistakes Posted by gpanand on Jan 3, 2009. |

