inductive and deductive arguments

Question 1

inductive argument strengths

Answer 1

• Agues to the most likely conclusion: this makes the argument strong, other conclusions have been considered and rejected and the evidence points clearly to this conclusion.
• Inductive argumentation is the basis of science – we see what has happened before and we use that to predict probable conclusions. This is strong because we are not jumping to a conclusion, but using the data to support the most likely outcome.

Question 2

inductive arguments weaknesses

Answer 2

• this type of argument is never going to bring absolute certainty. Though the conclusion appears the most likely, it is not the only possibility. An unlikely conclusion could still be true.

Question 3

deductive argument strengths

Answer 3

If the premises are undoubtedly true, the conclusion is certain.
This type of argument, because of its structure, leads to the only possible conclusion, giving absolute certainty.

Question 4

deductive argument weaknesses

Answer 4

This type of argument only works if we are absolutely certain that the premises of the argument are accurate and that there is no other possible way in which the premises could be understood.