Sound inductive argument. Inductive force/ inductive soundness Flashcards 2022-10-21

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An inductive argument is a type of argument in which the premises are intended to provide strong support for the conclusion, but do not guarantee it. In other words, an inductive argument is an argument in which the truth of the conclusion is based on the strength of the evidence provided in the premises. A sound inductive argument is one in which the premises are true and the conclusion follows logically from the premises.

One of the key features of a sound inductive argument is that it is based on empirical evidence. This means that it is based on observations and experiences, rather than on theoretical or abstract reasoning. For example, if we observe that every time we drop an egg, it breaks, we can reasonably conclude that all eggs will break if dropped. This conclusion is based on empirical evidence, as we have observed the phenomenon multiple times and consistently gotten the same result.

Another important aspect of a sound inductive argument is that it avoids making unwarranted assumptions or leaping to conclusions without sufficient evidence. In order for an inductive argument to be sound, it must be based on a representative sample of the population or phenomenon being studied. For example, if we observe that all of the birds in our backyard are sparrows, it would be unwarranted to conclude that all birds are sparrows. This is because our sample is not representative of the entire population of birds.

In addition to being based on empirical evidence and avoiding unwarranted assumptions, a sound inductive argument must also be logically valid. This means that the conclusion must follow logically from the premises. For example, if we observe that all of the eggs in our refrigerator are fresh, it would be logical to conclude that all eggs in our refrigerator are fresh. This conclusion follows logically from the premise that all of the eggs in our refrigerator are fresh.

Overall, a sound inductive argument is one that is based on empirical evidence, avoids making unwarranted assumptions, and is logically valid. It is an important tool for establishing facts and making informed decisions, and is a key component of scientific inquiry and critical thinking.

How To Tell When Arguments Are Valid or Sound

sound inductive argument

New York: Harcourt, Brace, and World, 1975. Significantly, according to the proposal that deductive but not inductive arguments can be rendered in symbolic form, a deductive argument need not instantiate a valid argument form. P and not P. They might be illustrated by an example like the following: Most Greeks eat olives. Remarkably, not only do proposals vary greatly, but the fact that they do so at all, and that they generate different and indeed incompatible conceptions of the deductive-inductive argument distinction, also seems to go largely unremarked upon by those advancing such proposals. Might not this insight provide a clue as to how one might categorically distinguish deductive and inductive arguments? Soundness The soundness of an argument relies on two qualities: 1. Perhaps it is easy to accept such a consequence.

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Academic Writing

sound inductive argument

This argument instantiates the logical rule modus tollens: If P, then Q. The consequences of accepting each proposal are then delineated, consequences that might well give one pause in thinking that the deductive-inductive argument distinction in question is satisfactory. That there is a coherent, unproblematic distinction between deductive and inductive arguments, and that the distinction neatly assigns arguments to one or the other of the two non-overlapping kinds, is an assumption that usually goes unnoticed and unchallenged. But the argument is still strong and cogent, at least for most audiences. The dolphin has lungs.

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Valid and sound argument

sound inductive argument

Salmon 1984 makes this point explicit, and even embraces it. Therefore, if not P, then Q. This is no doubt some sort of rule, even if it does not explicitly follow the more clear-cut logical rules thus far mentioned. Collectively, however, they raise questions about whether this way of distinguishing deductive and inductive arguments should be accepted, given that such consequences are hard to reconcile with other common beliefs about arguments, say, about how individuals can be mistaken about what sort of argument they are advancing. My sister likes cats. However, it is worth noticing that to say that a deductive argument is one that cannot be affected that is, it cannot be strengthened or weakened by acquiring additional evidence or premises, whereas an inductive argument is one that can be affected by additional evidence or premises, is to already begin with an evaluation of the argument in question, only then to proceed to categorize it as deductive or inductive.

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Can an inductive argument be valid Why or why not?

sound inductive argument

Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006. All girls must like cats. We would also need to provide evidence that Felix is indeed a cat! They are just too polymorphic to be represented in purely formal notation. A proponent of this psychological approach could simply bite the bullet and concede that what at first appeared to be a single argument may in fact be many. We can recognize in the above case that even if one of the premises is actually false, that if they had been true the conclusion would have been true as well.

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Inductive force/ inductive soundness Flashcards

sound inductive argument

It instead indicates a very determined bias in thinking and academic writing. All you have demonstrated is that the argument itself cannot be used to establish the truth of the conclusion. Lightning is probably the cause of thunder. As noted, whether an argument is strong seems to be relative to the audience. Rather, what is supposed to be contained in the premises of a valid argument is the claim expressed in its conclusion.

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What Is a Sound Argument?

sound inductive argument

Be that as it may, there are yet other best way to capture the relevant distinction. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co. Inductive arguments rely, or at least can rely, upon logical rules as well. Spanish is spoken in Colombia. Therefore, all spiders have eight legs.

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Arguments: Why Do You Believe What You Believe?

sound inductive argument

Does this argument have a valid form? Rather, since the premises do not necessitate the conclusion, it must be an inductive argument. José is Venezuelan and has a very good sense of humor. Conclusion: Therefore, all dogs are animals. A good deductive argument is not only valid, but is also sound. In contrast, a deductive argument is a top-down argument that produces an irrefutable conclusion as long as its premises are true. Deductive arguments, in this view, may be said to be psychologically compelling in a way that inductive arguments are not.

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40 examples of inductive and deductive arguments

sound inductive argument

Is it possible to prove that an argument is valid? Joe might wear a green shirt tomorrow-or a shirt in any color he wants. This is of course not meant to minimize the difficulties associated with evaluating arguments. However, this psychological approach does place logical constraints on what else one can coherently claim. One might judge it to be an inductive argument on that basis. Nor can it be said that such an argument must be deductive or inductive for someone else, due to the fact that there is no guarantee that anyone has any beliefs or intentions regarding the argument. In this painting chiaroscuro is applied. Click to see full answer.

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Inductive Argument Examples

sound inductive argument

Pedro is a Catholic. Indeed, this need not involve different individuals at all. All of these proposals entail problems of one sort or another. Initially, therefore, this approach looks promising. One could say that it is impossible for the conclusion to be false given that the premises are true, or that the conclusion is already contained in the premises that is, the premises are necessarily truth-preserving. It is comprised of three main elements: a guiding point, supporting evidence, and a conclusion that is true and viable. Therefore, today is not Tuesday.

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