ratiocination
Methodical mental process
Ratiocination is the process of logical reasoning or methodical thinking through a problem step by step.
The word is formal and somewhat old-fashioned, often used to describe detective work or philosophical argumentation: Sherlock Holmes was famous for his powers of ratiocination.
It emphasizes deliberate, systematic thought rather than intuition or guesswork.
Science of valid reasoning
- deductionConclusion from premises
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
- syllogismFormal deductive argument structure
- argumentationSystematic reasoning process
deliberation · analysis · thought-process · problem-solving · cogitation · intellection · synthesis · abstraction
End or deduction
- deductionConclusion from premises
- hypothesisTestable proposed explanation
- conjectureGuess from limited facts
- surmiseGuess from incomplete information
extrapolation · corollary · implication · postulate · proposition · theorem · supposition · presumption
Mental concept or reflection
- comprehensionMental understanding of meaning
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- discernmentKeen perception and judgment
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
insight · perception · reflection · contemplation · cognizance · intellection · apprehension · grasp
Methodical assessment or review
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
- dissectionAnatomical cutting and examination
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- evaluationDetermining worth or quality
assessment · diagnosis · investigation · appraisal · study · interpretation · parsing · deconstruction
logic
Science of valid reasoning
- deductionConclusion from premises
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
- syllogismFormal deductive argument structure
argumentation · deliberation · analysis · thought-process · problem-solving · cogitation · intellection · synthesis · abstraction · conceptualization
conclusion
End or deduction
- deductionConclusion from premises
- hypothesisTestable proposed explanation
- conjectureGuess from limited facts
surmise · extrapolation · corollary · implication · postulate · proposition · theorem · supposition · presumption · speculation
thought
Mental concept or reflection
- comprehensionMental understanding of meaning
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- discernmentKeen perception and judgment
judgment · insight · perception · reflection · contemplation · cognizance · intellection · apprehension · grasp · cerebration
examination
Methodical assessment or review
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
- dissectionAnatomical cutting and examination
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
evaluation · assessment · diagnosis · investigation · appraisal · study · interpretation · parsing · deconstruction · explication
- cognitionthinking, reasoning, thought, cognition, remembering
ratiocinationintuition
Instinctive immediate understanding
gut feeling · instinct · hunch · feeling · sixth sense
ratiocinationirrationality
Absence of logic
illogic · unreason · absurdity · nonsensicalness · senselessness
reason, ratio, rational, irrational, rationale, rationally, rationality, rationalize, ratios