(updated 7/24/2017)

Chapter 2; Introductions and Curiosity.

10:16 P.M. Jun 10th

To: Sherlock H

From: Wizkid95

Subject: Further Information

Good evening.

I was surfing through the Internet encyclopedia of philosophy, when I caught a look at a tab called 'Deductive Reasoning.' (right next to inductive, go figure...) I read the page, and found myself interested. I ran a web search to find out more. After finding a few colorless and useless pages, I managed to stumble upon your site.

I have to say, I felt like I hit the jack pot.

Your website explained more of the principles and uses of deductive reasoning than any other I have managed to come across. It gives a better idea of how helpful deduction could be, IF used actively. I do have a few questions though, which is why I am writing. I hope you don't mind.

First; are there any other laws or guidelines that one should follow while studying or using deduction? Ones that you didn't already put on your site, I mean. I read your 'Introduction to deduction' page. The tips and tricks where helpful. But it seemed to be missing one or two of the processes one should go through while learning or using deduction.

Second, is there any kind of exercises one could do that would help learn deduction quicker? Help them become quicker at it? I know that the best way to learn is to see and observe on your own. (Got a kick out of that line, BTW.) I figured I'd ask, just in case.

Lastly, about the 'mind palace' memory technique that you use to organize information. I get that it is a meditative technique, but how do you go about constructing one? Do you start layer by layer, from scratch? Or should you try to organize what information you already have, and mold those into your base? Should you treat your memories as information as well, or are they separate?

Hope you didn't find this too forward or too much of a bother. Hope to read your reply soon.

~Wizkid

10:26 P.M. Jun 10th

To: Wizkid95

From: Sherlock H

Subject: Re; Further Information

Your questions are not a bother at all and are, in fact, quite welcome at this time. I find myself without a case, and would prefer answering the questions of an inquisitive 13-year-old mind rather than surrender myself to the boredom that will surely set in soon. I will gladly answer you.

But before that; you are probably wondering how I knew you were thirteen… It was easily deduced. Allow me to explain; your grammar was sound and your wording quite proper, giving no real indication of your age. But your use of slang (Your 'go figure', 'got a kick', and the most telling 'BTW',) indicates a young adult... But how young was given away by your site username.

Wizkid95.

Wizkid is obvious. How many thirteen-year-olds browse through the Internet Encyclopaedia of Philosophy? At ten at night no less? Intelligent ones… So you not only know you are intelligent, but are proud of the fact… Proud enough to make a username out of it. But it was the 95 that gave you away.

Why put 95 on your username? For 1995. Couldn't be the year you graduated, or an anniversary. Far too young for that… so it must be a birth year. Your birth year. Since we are in the middle of 2008, it is safe to assume that you are 13.

Thank you for the complements to my website, also. I also found the other websites explaining deduction to be drab and useless, filled with non-relevant information. I barely even bother with them nowadays.

But enough of that; on to your questions. Yes, there are a few laws that can, and should apply when using deduction that I left out of the "Introduction to deduction" page. Good job on spotting that. I wanted to keep two of the laws of deduction off the website. This was in order to keep idiots from running around, claiming to be masters of deduction after simply reading my page... So far it has worked out nicely.

The two laws left out are as follows:

Law of Syllogism; The Law of Syllogism states that two or more conditional statements can form a conclusion by combining the hypothesis of one statement with the conclusion of another.

If G equals Q, and Q equals K, then G must also equal K.

Example;

One student is sick and will be absent from class. (G)

If any student is absent, they will miss the day's lesson. (G=Q)

Any students that miss a lesson will have make-up work. (Q=K)

The one sick student will have make-up work when they return to school. (G=K)

Using this law one can literally form a chain of conclusions, all from one beginning deduction. One fact leads logically into another and another. Even so, they all stay connected.

The law of validity; The law of Validity states that an argument could be valid and it's premises true, even when it's conclusion is false.

Example;

Everyone who eats salad is a vegetarian.

Derek is eating salad, not meat.

Derek is a vegetarian.

The argument could be valid, and its premise could be true... But the first conclusion is obviously false. Not EVERYONE who eats a salad is a vegetarian. But the premise of Derek eating a salad and the argument of him being a vegetarian are still valid, if not certain. You cannot say for certain that Derek Is a NOT vegetarian, now can you?

Secondly; as for the training exercises for deduction; the only real training is to actively deduce. I suggest starting close to home, with family and neighbors. Then strangers. One of my favorite ways to practice is to sit in a restaurant and look out a window, deducing the people who walk by. Concentrate on accuracy first. Speed will come with time.

On another note, I find Sudoku to be quite effective in helping to sharpen the mind. Crossword puzzles as well. They fire all the right parts of the brain, as well as hone problem solving skills.

And as for the mind palace; DON'T. It is a highly involved meditative technique that should not be tried until you have a firm foothold. Study and get a feel for basic mediation first. When you have progressed enough, I will tell you all about the mind palace and its workings. Until then, don't attempt it.

Best of luck. Be sure to stick with it.

~SH

P.S; Keep me informed of your progress. I'm interested to see how you fare.

11:02 pm, Jun 10th

To: Sherlock H

From: Wizkid95

Subject: Re; Re; Further Information.

Thanks!

For the quick reply, the Info and everything. I'm going to start my 'Training' tomorrow. I'll try to send an update every week, until I go back to school. I won't have access to my account then.

~Wizkid

P.S; I'm 12. I won't be 13 until the end of July.

11:05 P.M, Jun 10th

To: Wizkid95

From: Sherlock H

Subject: re; re; re; Further Information

12?! Oh, of course, we're only halfway through the year.

There's always something...