Lecture 09 Inductive Reasoning

Question 1

What are the 2 type of Arguments

Answer 1

Deductive (i.e. validity, sound)

Inductive

Question 2

What is a inductively strong argument

Answer 2

Iff whenever the premises are true the conclusion is highly likely,

Question 3

What would be a benefit of an Inductive argument over a deductive argument

Answer 3

Inductively strong arguments have the advantage of only needing premises powerful enough to strongly support the conclusion.

Question 4

What is the basic difference between an Inductive and Deductive argument

Answer 4

In a Deductive argument the premises may be very hard to prove,

however,

in an Inductive argument the premises are more easily accepted. (Highly likely)

Question 5

Discuss certainty with regard to deductive and inductive arguments

Answer 5

Certainty is a virtue if obtainable, but where it is not obtainable a high degree of probability is better than none at all.

Question 6

Discuss the principal going from general to particular

Answer 6

Valid arguments go from the general to the particular, whereas inductively strong ones go from the particular to the general.

_{<span>(Note: this is not always the case)</span>}

Question 7

What is the General form of an arguemnt that is Inference to the best Explanation

Answer 7

Phenomena C is observed

Explanation: A explains C and does so better thatn any rival explanation

——————————————————————————————————————

_(probably) A

Question 8

How do we evaluate inference to the best explanation

Answer 8

Lecture Notes:

1) They should actually explain the event in question as opposed to merely shifting the burden of explanation onto something else itself needing explaining.
2) They should be falsifiable (ie She’s a Witch, can not be falisified)
3) They should be powerful (i.e. widely applicable).
4) The simpler the better.
5) They should be conservative with respect to prior beliefs.

AE F WA S C

Text Book

1) Explain
2) Deep
3) Powerful
4) Modest
5) Simple
6) Conservative

Question 9

Argument from Analogy - good or bad

Answer 9

DIfficult and dangerous.

The Analogious argument MUST be strong