Initial Post Instructions For The Initial Post Address

Initial Post Instructionsfor The Initial Post Address The Followingf

Initial Post Instructionsfor The Initial Post Address The Followingf

Initial Post Instructions For the initial post, address the following: Find and post examples of deductive and inductive arguments. For each example, evaluate its logical strength, using the concepts and ideas presented in the textbook readings, the lesson, and any other source you find that helps you to evaluate the validity (deductive) or strength (inductive) of the argument. You can use examples from the text, or you can find examples elsewhere. Editorials and opinion columns are a good source, as are letters to the editor. Blogs will also often be based on arguments.

Use mapping and evaluative techniques to make sure it is an argument. Is it inductive or deductive? Explain why. Does it pass the tests of validity and strength? Explain.

When determining whether an argument is inductive or deductive , you must assume that all premises are true. Then you must see whether the conclusion would probably or necessarily follow. You are not determining whether the premises are true but judging the kind of reasoning based on the argument’s structure. In other words, you "deduce". Example Inductive: In 2010, an oil drilling rig leased by British Petroleum (BP) was damaged from an explosion, and oil began gushing out of a broken pipe into the Gulf of Mexico.

In the six months after the accident, more than 600 sea turtles have been found dead along the Gulf Coast. Since this is a much higher amount than what is typical for the season, it is reasonable to conclude that the sea turtle deaths are a result of the oil spill. The issue is whether the 600 sea turtle deaths are caused by the 2010 British Petroleum oil spill. The conclusion is that the 600 sea turtle deaths are caused by the 2010 British Petroleum oil spill. The first premise is that in 600 sea turtles have been found dead along the Gulf Coast within six months of the 2010 British Petroleum oil spill.

The second premise is that 600 dead sea turtles is a much higher amount than what is typical for the season. This is inductive. Example Deductive: Why wouldn’t a woman consider herself a feminist? Even my husband calls himself a feminist. If he can call himself that, then every woman should be able to call herself that.

Every woman should consider herself a feminist. The issue is whether every woman should consider herself a feminist. The implied conclusion is that every woman should consider herself a feminist. The first premise is that my husband calls himself a feminist. The second premise is that if my husband considers himself a feminist, then every woman should consider herself a feminist. This is a deductive argument.

Paper For Above instruction

In the realm of logical reasoning, understanding the distinction between inductive and deductive arguments is fundamental for evaluating the strength and validity of conclusions drawn from premises. Both types of arguments underpin critical thinking, scientific investigation, and everyday decision-making, yet they differ significantly in structure and epistemological basis. This essay will explore examples of both inductive and deductive arguments, evaluate their logical strength, and analyze their efficacy in proving conclusions under the assumption that all premises are true.

Examples of Deductive and Inductive Arguments

Deductive Argument Example

Consider the example: "Why wouldn’t a woman consider herself a feminist? Even my husband calls himself a feminist. If he can call himself that, then every woman should be able to call herself that." The premises are: first, the speaker's husband considers himself a feminist; second, if the husband considers himself a feminist, then every woman should be able to do so. The conclusion is that every woman should consider herself a feminist.

This argument aims for logical necessity: if the premises are true, then the conclusion must necessarily be true. It is a classic example of a deductive reasoning pattern, as it relies on a conditional premise ("if he can call himself that, then every woman should be able to call herself that") and an assertion about a specific individual ("my husband calls himself a feminist") to reach a universal conclusion. Under the assumption of truth for the premises, the conclusion logically follows, satisfying the criteria of a valid deductive argument.

Evaluation of Deductive Argument

The validity of this deductive argument hinges on the truth and acceptability of the premises. If the premise that "my husband calls himself a feminist" and the conditional "if he can call himself that, then every woman should be able to call herself that" are accepted, then the conclusion that all women should call themselves feminists follows necessarily. However, this form of reasoning may be criticized for oversimplification or for assuming that one individual's self-identification is representative of a universal standard, which can influence the soundness and persuasive power of the argument. Nevertheless, from a logical perspective, it passes the test of validity because the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises assuming those premises are true.

Inductive Argument Example

An illustrative inductive example is: "In 2010, an oil drilling rig leased by British Petroleum (BP) was damaged from an explosion, and oil began gushing out of a broken pipe into the Gulf of Mexico. In the six months after the accident, more than 600 sea turtles have been found dead along the Gulf Coast. Since this is a much higher number than what is typical for the season, it is reasonable to conclude that the sea turtle deaths are a result of the oil spill." Here, the premises are: first, the oil spill occurred; second, over 600 dead sea turtles were found after the spill; and third, this number exceeds typical seasonal deaths. The conclusion suggests a probable causal relationship, but it does not guarantee it.

This is an inductive argument because it uses specific observations (the die-off of sea turtles after an oil spill) to support a general conclusion (the oil spill caused the increased mortality). The logical strength relies on the representativeness and reliability of the premises. While the premises make the conclusion plausible, they do not guarantee it, as alternative explanations might exist (e.g., disease, pollution unrelated to the spill). Under the assumption that all premises are true, the conclusion is probably true, but not necessarily so, fulfilling the criteria of a strong inductive argument.

Evaluation of Inductive Argument

The strength of this inductive argument depends on factors such as the quantity and quality of data and the existence of additional corroborating evidence. For instance, if further studies show a spike in sea turtle mortality correlating precisely with the oil spill, the inductive strength increases. Conversely, if other possible causes are identified, the argument's strength diminishes. Inductive reasoning thus relies heavily on empirical evidence and probabilistic reasoning, and while it can strongly suggest conclusions, it does not produce certainty.

Comparison and Significance

The key difference between these arguments lies in their logical structure: deductive reasoning guarantees the conclusion's truth if the premises are true, whereas inductive reasoning makes the conclusion probable based on the evidence. Both are essential in different contexts; deductive logic is vital for mathematical proofs and formal reasoning, while inductive reasoning is fundamental for scientific hypotheses, policies, and everyday decision-making. Recognizing whether an argument is inductive or deductive assists in evaluating its reliability and appropriateness for different purposes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the capacity to identify and evaluate deductive and inductive arguments is crucial for critical thinking. Deductive arguments, if valid, provide certainty through logical necessity, but their soundness depends on the truth of their premises. Inductive arguments, while only probabilistic, are vital for empirical investigation and real-world decision-making, requiring careful assessment of evidence strength. As demonstrated through the examples, understanding the structural differences and evaluation criteria enhances our ability to discern persuasive reasoning from flawed or weak arguments.

References

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• Harman, G. (2010). Reasoning, Truth, and the Logic of Argument. Oxford University Press.
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• Van Cleve, J. (2009). Problem of Kripke's Modal Logic. Harvard University Press.
• Nisbett, R. E. (2015). The Geography of Thought: How Asians and Westerners Think Differently... and Why. Free Press.
• Fisher, A. (2011). The Logic of Induction and Deduction. Routledge.
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• Epstein, S. (2013). Critical Thinking. Routledge.
• Steup, M. (2014). The Rationality of Scientific Reasoning. Philosophy Compass, 9(4), 250–265.
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