This section deals with the need for acute and meticulous observation of detail. You see but you do not observe must be Holmes most common admonition, of me at least. If you have ever wondered what the difference is between deduction and induction, what categorical propositions, categorical syllogisms, disjunctive syllogisms and the inductive force are then this section should make it all clear! The heading of the one of the sections in Part One – Five Pillows and an Ounce of Shag – would be an appropriate setting for reading this section.Īgain Rai draws heavily on the Canon to illustrate the application of logic including A Study in Scarlet, A Scandal in Bohemia, The Copper Beeches, The Yellow Face, The Sign of Four, Silver Blaze, The Norwood Builder, The Boscombe Valley Mystery and His Last Bow. This looks at the science of logic and Rai suggests that if you read these pages you will be able to infer the possibility of a Niagara or an Atlantic from the knowledge of a single drop of water (as Holmes suggests in A Study in Scarlet). The section draws on A Study in Scarlet, The Sign of Four, The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Abbey Grange, The Copper Beeches, The Norwood Builder, Silver Blaze, The Valley of Fear, The Boscombe Valley Mystery, The Mazarin Stone, The Man with the Twisted Lip and The Yellow Face. We then look at his methods of abstraction and distraction, his immersion in lengthy chemical experiments, and then his intense concentration. His use of evidence, the scientific method and the acquisition of useful knowledge is discussed. The many facets of the personality of Holmes are analysed including the rationality of his approach to a case eschewing emotion, superstition, irrationality, and fallacies. Holmes is an example of what one can acquire, but to get there is not necessarily understood.
and he suggests that the same approach can be applied with logic and deduction in the mind. Many exercise in the gym to build muscles, lose weight, etc. He also believes that because we can relate to Holmes as being human also it is possible for us to attain some measure of his amazing gift. If Holmes is thought of as a superhero then his superpower is logic, Rai suggests. He believes it is important to read and understand logic and how Holmes uses logic in his work. He suggests that although everyone has a vague notion of logic, by reading my stories about Holmes cases, you can begin to understand what its benefits are. He also conducted a survey to see what Holmes fans wanted and the result is the four parts that comprise his book.
He read all my stories again plus several books on logic and philosophy. This triggered the idea of writing The Art of Deduction. Rai wondered as he read my reminiscences if it was possible to deduce and learn to think the way Holmes does. Rai suggests that we can all learn from Holmes and that with the application of a little logic, rationality and observation, we can solve problems in our own lives without resorting to help from others. In many of our adventures together the most complicated problem turns out in the end to have an absurdly simple solution. Rai tells me that in writing the book he began to realise the possibilities if the average person could acquire even a modicum of the skill possessed by Holmes. It is a very well-researched book which quotes frequently and accurately from my stories to present the key skills that anyone wishing to emulate the Great Detective will need to master. The most recent of these is entitled “The Art of Deduction” by Taz Rai and is a detailed analysis of Holmes methods against several well-known text books on logic and deduction. Recently there have been a few books looking at specific aspects of Holmes’ ability as the first consulting detective. Most of the books that I chose, or am asked to review, are pastiches or books by authors who have studied the many adventures Holmes and I had together.