PHI 1101 Study Guide - Deductive Reasoning, Hasty Generalization, Foodborne Illness

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Philosophy
• Course: PHI 1101
• Professor: All

Document Summary

As noted, a deductive argument is intended to provide logically conclusive support for its conclusion. We have certainty with deductive arguments in that if the premises of the argument are true, then they guarantee the truth of the conclusion. Deductive arguments are described as being valid or invalid. An argument intended to provide probable (but not conclusive) support for its conclusion. The premises 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: Accordingly a successful nondeductive argument can have premises that make the conclusion close to certain, very likely, or somewhat likely. 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.