Lecture 7

Question 1

Inductive (Non-deductive) reasoning meaning

Answer 1

-Making generalizations based on limited observations, predictions & explanation

Question 2

Inductive reasoning characteristics

Answer 2

1. Risky reasoning, not certain
2. Ampliative reasoning (going beyond the evidence to conclude)
3. Non-monotonic, conclusion may change if info is added

Question 3

When reasoning is trustworthy?

Answer 3

When it leads to true conclusions most of the time

Question 4

Uniformity principle

Answer 4

claim that laws of nature do not change

Question 5

Deductive vs
Inductive/non-deductive FINISH

Answer 5

Deductive - guaranteed
Inductive - very likely but not guaranteed

Question 6

When is contradiction created

Answer 6

When a deductive argument is negated

Question 7

Circular reasoning

Answer 7

When an argument for a conclusion presuppose the same conclusion (people in america should not vote for third candidate because no one votes for it so it would be a waste, if ignored and all voted for third it would not be a waste)

Question 8

Explanatory virtues

Answer 8

-Coherent (using existing knowledge)
-Fruitful (Generates new expectations)
-Unifying (applies to other observations)
-Simple (just one explanatory factor)