Deductive versus probabilistic inferences are distinguished by normative theories, but it is unknown whether these two forms of reasoning engage similar cerebral loci. To clarify the matter, positron emission tomography was applied during deductive versus probabilistic reasoning tasks, using identical stimuli. Compared to a language comprehension task involving the same stimuli, both probabilis...

Modern logic provides accounts of both interpretation and derivation which work together to provide abstract frameworks for modelling the sensitivity of human reasoning to task, context and content.frameworks for modelling the sensitivity of human reasoning to task, context and content. Cognitive theories have underplayed the importance of interpretative processes. We illustrate, using Wason’s ...

We present a query language, called the Datalog, for deductive object-oriented databases. While a direct semantics for inheritance with overriding and encapsulation is desirable, an alternative method for capturing these two features in Datalog based on the idea of program transformation and compilation is proposed. A reduction technique for Datalog programs to Datalog is discussed. The eleganc...

Deductive reasoning is an essential part of complex cognition. It occurs whenever human beings (or machines) draw conclusions that go beyond what is explicitly provided. Reasoning about spatial relations is an excellent testbed for the assessment of competing reasoning theories. In the present paper we show that such competing theories are often less diverse than one might think. We introduce a...

Right lateral prefrontal cortex (rlPFC) has previously been implicated in logical reasoning under conditions of conflict. A functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study was conducted to explore its role in conflict more precisely. Specifically, we distinguished between belief-logic conflict and belief-content conflict, and examined the role of rlPFC under each condition. The results demon...

Knowledge engineering is a discipline concerned with constructing and maintaining knowledge bases to store knowledge of various domains and using the knowledge by automated reasoning techniques to solve problems in domains that ordinarily require human logical reasoning. Therefore, the two key issues in knowledge engineering are how to construct and maintain knowledge bases, and how to reason o...

Deductive reasoning is fundamental to science, human culture, and the solution of problems in daily life. It starts with premises and yields a logically necessary conclusion that is not explicit in the premises. Here we investigated the neurocognitive processes underlying logical thinking with event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging. We specifically focused on three temporally separ...