PHI 2397 Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Homicide, Bloodhound, Hasty Generalization

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Philosophy
• Course: PHI 2397
• Professor: Jon Miller

Document Summary

An argument intended to provide probable (but not conclusive) support. The premise of a nondeductive argument are meant to make the conclusion probable or likely. Support for the conclusion is a matter of degree. Nondeductive arguments can be described as successful or unsuccessful. Three degrees of probability for a successful nondeductive argument. 1) if the premise of an argument make the conclusion almost certain, then we describe the argument as successful and describe the degree of support which the premises lend the conclusion as close to certain. If the degree of support that the premises give the conclusion is little or none at all, then we describe the argument as being unsuccessful. A nondeductive argument is unsuccessful when its premises are not relevant to the conclusion, or do not adequately support the conclusion, or do not provide sufficient information that is relevant for the conclusion.