Topic 4: Inductive Reasoning

Question 1

What are the different possibilities?

Answer 1

Retrieving data. Wait a few seconds and try to cut or copy again.

Question 2

Define Logical Possibility

Answer 2

Retrieving data. Wait a few seconds and try to cut or copy again.

Question 3

Define Empirical Possibility

Answer 3

Empirical Possibilities are more to do with theoretical and visual possibilities (what we can verify by observing), thus we can say what is empirically impossible may not be logically impossible.

Question 4

What is an Inductive Arguement?

Answer 4

“It must at least be that case that it is logically possible for the conclusion to be false while all the premise is true.
i.e it involves no contradiction to think that.”

Question 5

What are the characteristics of Inductive Argument?

Answer 5

“1) The conclusion of the inductive argument can be false whilst all the premises are all true.

2) An inductive argument can be strong or weak depending on the amount of evidence it has for supporting the conclusion.
3) It is possible to overturn the degree of strength of an inductive argument (from strong to weak) by adding more premises.
4) Inductive arguments may help expand human knowledge because what the conclusion says goes beyond what is said in the premise.”

Question 6

What is the degree of strength of an inductively valid argument?

Answer 6

“i) Inductively strong: When the premises support the conclusion very well, making it highly probable.

ii) Inductively weak: When the premises give only some support to the conclusion, making it quite probably but not highly probable.
iii) Inductively bad: When evidence is too think or totally inappropriate to support the conclusion, failing thus to make it credible.”