PHI 1101 Lecture 14: PHI 1101 Lecture 14

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Philosophy
• Course: PHI 1101
• Professor: Christopher Mc Grath

Document Summary

Inductive reasoning - forming and assessing arguments which aim to show that their conclusions are plausible (i. e. rather than certain. Inductive arguments are called cogent/uncogent rather than sound/unsound: cogent argument - strong inference + true premises. Inductive strength can be adjusted (made strong or weaker) by adding premises. Assessing the inference of inductive arguments: an inductive inference is strong when it meets two criteria. Four kinds of inductive arguments: enumerative inductive. Reasons form (premises) characteristics of members to (conclusion) characteristics of a group. From all the squirrels you"ve see on campus (12 of them), have black fur. Therefore, the whole squirrels population in ottawa have black fur. Relevant - the member represent the group. Adequate - the members represent the group in quantity: statistical syllogism. Reasons from (premises) characteristics of a group to (conclusion) characterises of a member(s) You know that squirrels in ottawa have black fur, so assume that your friend"s squirrel has black fur.