Abductive Reasoning in Organic Chemistry

Abstract

This commentary provides an overview of abduction, also known as Inference to the Best Explanation, and argues that the term and relevant problem-solving methods should be adopted by chemistry educators. Abductive reasoning, especially within the context of science and medicine, continues to be an active area of exploration for philosophers and others as well is a skill actively employed by expert chemists. The utility of abductive reasoning as a problem-solving approach in the classroom is already beginning to show evidence of improved student learning.