How Do You Think?

     Do you plan things in sequential order or do you have to see the big picture first?  I have heard it called " Part to whole" thinking and  "Whole to part" thinking.  In reading instruction, it is the difference between phonics and sight word reading. It is also the need to know where a book is going before reading or the method of just starting at the beginning and jumping in to read.  In project management, it is getting the overview, before one starts on the details or starting with details and seeing where they lead.  It is truly nothing more than inductive verses deductive reasoning.
     Deductive reasoning starts with the theory, goes to the hypothesis, followed by observation then arrives at a conclusion.  Inductive reasoning starts with an observation, followed by the seeing of a pattern, followed by an hypothesis and conclusion.  The "end" should be the same in scientific endeavors.
     In the field of education, we have learned the value of asking the essential question before we begin to learn.  It is called a "driving question", too. Knowing the right question is important to finding the answer you are looking for.  The value of deductive reasoning is very important to most problem solving.
    However, when life's trials are steep and one is battle scarred, the best approach is to put one foot in front of the other and walk, which is the essence of induction.
     How do you think?  Techniques from both thinking styles could be of benefit to all.   I would not want to read with only phonics skills nor would I want to read with only memorized sight words.   The marvelous human mind is capable of both styles and a balanced person needs to think in whatever style the job requires.  
      The big picture and the vision have to have details, too.  The branches have to have a trunk.  A trunk has to have branches, twigs and leaves.   Some cannot see the forest for the trees and some cannot see the trees for the forest.  Both are important!