Inductive Arguments Overview

Questions and Answers

Which of the following best differentiates a deductive argument from an inductive argument?

Inductive arguments do not involve premises.

An inductive argument offers a probability that its conclusion is true. (correct)

A deductive argument guarantees its conclusion based on premises. (correct)

A deductive argument is based on estimates.

An inductive/enumerative generalization moves from something we know about a larger group to a claim about a smaller group.

False

Unlike deductive 'validity', inductive 'strength' admits of degrees.

True

A biased sample is best described by which of the following?

It is a sample that does not accurately represent the target. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences concerning the strength of inductive generalizations is most accurate?

The larger the sample size the stronger the inference. Signup and view all the answers

What is a hasty generalization?

A generalization made with a sample that is too small. Signup and view all the answers

An appeal to anecdotal evidence is a form of which of these fallacies?

A hasty generalization Signup and view all the answers

The same criteria used to evaluate inductive generalizations can also be used to evaluate analogies.

True Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best characterizes the difference between an inductive generalization and an analogy?

Inductive generalizations generalize from a sample to a class, analogies from a sample to another member. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes why a biased generalization is a fallacy?

Its sample is not representative of the target population. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Inductive Arguments Overview

Deductive arguments guarantee the truth of their conclusions based on true premises, while inductive arguments provide a probable conclusion based on premises.
Inductive/enumerative generalization claims about a smaller group based on what is known about a larger group—incorrectly suggested in one context described.

Inductive Argument Characteristics

Inductive arguments have "strength" that can vary, unlike deductive arguments with fixed "validity."
A biased sample fails to represent the target population accurately, impacting the reliability of inductive reasoning.
Larger sample sizes enhance the strength of inductive generalizations, improving inference reliability.

Common Fallacies in Inductive Reasoning

Hasty generalization arises when conclusions are drawn from an insufficiently small sample.
An appeal to anecdotal evidence exemplifies a hasty generalization fallacy.

Evaluation of Inductive Reasoning

The same criteria used for evaluating inductive generalizations apply to assessing analogies.
Inductive generalization involves drawing conclusions about an entire class from a sample, while analogy involves comparisons between members of different groups.

Bias in Generalizations

Biased generalizations are considered fallacies because the samples used do not represent the larger target population, undermining the argument's validity.

Description

This quiz explores the principles and characteristics of inductive arguments, including their strengths and common fallacies. Understand how sample sizes and biases affect the reliability of inductive reasoning and evaluate its effectiveness compared to deductive reasoning.