The lure of finding buried treasure has always been a mysterious and captivating topic. Warren Getler does just this, and searches for buried treasure using advanced sonic image technology. Getler, who incorporates his beliefs in an obscure historical theory with his work, is using deductive reasoning to carry out his theory and work in his quest to find buried treasure.

Getler believes in a murky historical theory, which is based on the belief that pirates have hidden treasures across the world. These pirates are connected with the Freemasons: the fraternal order that was instigated in medieval Europe by stonemasons. There are not many that believe in this theory; however, the belief is that these pirates incorporated Masonic signs and indications that somehow kept record of where precisely the treasures are located. To discover just where and how these treasures have been buried, means to unlock the Mason’s code.

This historical theory upon which Getler bases his work uses deductive reasoning. Deductive reasoning moves from a more general theory or hypothesis, to a more specific reasoning or conclusion. For this reason, it is often referred to as the “top-down” method, as the researcher, Getler in this case, is working within a broader framework, but then moving to a more specific subset of reasoning and conclusions. For example, a researcher may just begin with just one category or topic of interest in their studies. However, this will ultimately be pared down over time into more specific hypotheses that can thus be tested. Then, these hypotheses are trimmed down further as additional research and observations are collected, and then tested. Finally, the research can test a single hypothesis with a very specific set of data or information, leading to the confirmation (hopefully) of the original hypothesis and thus reaching a conclusion.

Getler is using deductive reasoning, as he is working with a very broad theory to begin with. This theory involves a larger network of pirates across the world, who have supposedly stashed their treasures in various hiding places. Their treasures are somehow denoted with Masonic symbols and signposts, which hence record how and where these treasures are buried.

The larger theory at hand is thus being tested as Getler searches for buried treasure with his advanced sonic imaging technology. Should Getler find a treasure that is connected to the Freemasons, he is cutting away other possible theories, as another component of the theory has been confirmed. If he is then able to further condense this theory down by unlocking the Masons’ code, which should divulge the details of the hidden treasures, he is even further moving to a more specific conclusion that will validate his theory in this Pirate-Freemasons belief. Should he move deductively to a conclusion, he will have all of the codes unraveled that will stipulate precisely where the treasures are buried, and thus arrive at the confirmation of his original hypothesis.

If this were to be an inductive theory of Getler’s, then he would be moving from a more specific theory, to a broader generalization overall. With inductive reasoning, smaller details and data would be collected first, which would contribute to a greater or more general theory. For example, if Getler were to find several, but not all, of the treasures and see that they were made of only precious jewels, such as emeralds and rubies, he may use inductive reasoning to generalize that all other jewels that would be discovered in the future may be comprised of only emerald and rubies. As Getler is moving from general to specific reasoning in his quest for buried treasure, he is utilizing deductive reasoning.