PHL105Y5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Deductive Reasoning, Inductive Reasoning, Misdemeanor
Document Summary
It is useful to distinguish deductive arguments, which purport to be demonstrative, from inductive arguments, which do not. In both cases, one is given reasons for accepting some conclusion. In deductive arguments, however, the premises are supposed to be strictly sufficient for establishing the conclusion; in other words, the premises are offered as providing conclusive support. Consider, for example, the argument below: (a) ottawa is the capital of canada. Therefore, alfred has never visited thecapital of canada. Clearly, if both of the premises are true, the conclusion must be true as well. In inductive arguments, on the other hand, the premises are supposed only to provide good evidence for the conclusion; the premises are offered as providing probable support. Consider, for example, the following argument: (b) alfred"s fingers are nicotine-stained. The premise of this argument gives a good reason for the conclusion, but it is by no means conclusive. (perhaps.
