1.

3 Inductive and Deductive Arguments

Distinguish between inductive and

deductive arguments
Recognize common forms of each type
of argument

Two Types of Arguments

Deductive Arguments

It is claimed that:

if the premises are true the conclusion must be true.

if the premises are true it is impossible for the conclusion to be false.

the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises.

Inductive Arguments

It is claimed that:

if the premises are true the conclusion is probably true.

the conclusion is likely to be true if the premises are true.

it is possible that the conclusion is false even if the premises are true.

Words like necessary or it must be that usually

indicate a deductive argument.

Words like probably or likely most often indicate

that the argument is inductive.

Common Deductive Argument Types

Argument based on Mathematics

Mark has twice as many cats as Susan. Susan has 3 cats;

therefore, Mark has 6 cats.

Common Deductive Argument Types

Argument from Definition: truth of conclusion is

guaranteed by definition

Jackson is a liar; therefore, he doesnt tell the truth.

Common Deductive Argument Types

Categorical Syllogism: syllogism (two premised

argument) with each statement starting with all,
some, none, or every

All students are rich and some students do volunteer

work; thus, some rich people do volunteer work.

Common Deductive Argument Types

Hypothetical Syllogism: syllogism with at least one

conditional (if, then) as a premise

If I keep an activity log for this class, then I will satisfy

10% of the requirements. I keep an activity log for this
class; so, I satisfy 10% of the requirements.

Common Deductive Argument Types

Disjunctive Syllogism: syllogism with a disjunction

(or) as one premise

Either Logic is the most important course your will take

in college or I am the queen of England. I am not the
queen of England; therefore, Logic is the most
important course you will take in college!

Common Inductive Argument Types

Prediction (from the past to the future)

In the past when we have had unusually warm winters

we have had problems with fire ants in the summer.
Since we are having an unusually warm winter this
year, next summer we will have problems with fire ants.

Common Inductive Argument Types

Argument from Analogy (x and y are similar w/

respect to A, x is B, so y is B)

Katie and Elizabeth are both from California, taking

Sociology and wearing flip-flops. I know Katie is a
vegetarian, so Elizabeth is probably a vegetarian too.

Common Inductive Argument Types

Generalization (a sample of As are F, so all As are F)

Every class I have taken in the English department has

been a piece of cake, so all English classes are probably
easy.

Common Inductive Argument Types

Argument from Authority (A says F so F)

Bush says the war in Iraq is justified; therefore, it is

justified.

Common Inductive Argument Types

Argument based on signs (A sign says P, so P)

The sign outside the door says this is room 109, so this is
room 109.

Common Inductive Argument Types

Causal Inference (from C to E, from E to C)

It is raining, so the shoes I left on the back porch are

probably wet.

My shoes are wet, it must have rained last night.

Distinguishing Inductive from Deductive Arguments

Deductive

It is claimed the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises.

Fits one of the known types of deductive arguments. ...given that

P, it must be that Q.

Inductive

It is claimed that the conclusion is probably true given the truth of

the premises.

Fits one of the known types of inductive arguments. ...given that

P, it is probably the case that Q.