Inductive Arguments and Inference
5 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What characterizes a strong inductive argument?

  • It guarantees the truth of the conclusion.
  • It provides probable support for the conclusion. (correct)
  • The conclusion must be logically compelling.
  • Its premises must be true for the conclusion to be true.
  • In the context of inductive arguments, what does 'weak' signify?

  • The premises are always untrue.
  • It cannot be used in reasoning.
  • The conclusion is definitively false.
  • The argument fails to provide probable support. (correct)
  • What is the purpose of 'Inference to the Best Explanation'?

  • To derive a conclusion based solely on statistical evidence.
  • To ensure the truth of the conclusion.
  • To eliminate all alternative explanations.
  • To explain a state of affairs based on given premises. (correct)
  • What makes an inductive argument cogent?

    <p>It is strong and has true premises.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best represents the conclusion in the example about Tariq?

    <p>Tariq probably didn’t read the material.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Inductive Arguments

    • Inductive arguments aim to increase the probability of a conclusion.
    • A strong inductive argument makes its conclusion likely to be true if the premises are true.
    • Weak arguments fail to provide this likely support.

    Inference to the Best Explanation

    • This reasoning type concludes from premises describing a situation to an explanation for that situation.
    • Example:
      • Premise 1: Tariq failed his philosophy course.
      • Premise 2: The best explanation for his failure is that he didn't read the material.
      • Conclusion: Therefore, he probably didn't read the material.

    Review: Inductive Arguments

    • Inductive arguments attempt to make the conclusion more probable.
    • A strong argument has a conclusion that is probably true if its premises are true.
    • Inductive arguments are not truth-preserving, meaning their structure doesn't guarantee the truth of the conclusion, even if the premises are true.
    • A cogent inductive argument is both strong and has true premises.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Description

    Test your understanding of inductive arguments and inference to the best explanation. This quiz covers the definitions, characteristics, and strength of inductive arguments, as well as practical examples. Enhance your critical thinking skills with these concepts in logic.

    More Like This

    Types of Arguments: Deductive and Inductive
    22 questions
    Inductive Arguments Quiz
    18 questions
    Inferences in Arguments
    10 questions

    Inferences in Arguments

    TrustedBoltzmann avatar
    TrustedBoltzmann
    Deductive vs Inductive Arguments Quiz
    39 questions
    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Browser