Classifying Inductive and Deductive Arguments

Question 1

Hypothetical Syllogism

Answer 1

A deductive argument with a conditional statement.

If X then Y

Question 2

Disjunctive Syllogism

Answer 2

A deductive argument with an “or” statement (a disjunct).

Question 3

Categorical Syllogism

Answer 3

A deductive argument consisting of exactly three categorical propositions in which there appear a total of three categorical terms (all, some, no), each of which is used exactly twice.

Question 4

Typical Inductive Arguments

Answer 4

Argument based on signs
Statistical arguments
Predictions
Historical arguments
Inductive generalizations
Argument from authority
Argument from analogy
Casual Reasoning

Question 5

Argument based on signs (Inductive)

Answer 5

A sign can be a literal sign or any other form of symbol that can be meaningfully interpreted.

Question 6

Statistical Arguments (Inductive)

Answer 6

Statistical arguments are the one category of mathematical arguments that are inductive because they are typically drawing general conclusions based on samplings.

Question 7

Predictions (Inductive)

Answer 7

A prediction is an inductive argument because we are arguing that something will take place in the future. Since the future is not certain the argument’s conclusion is only probable.

Question 8

Historical Arguments

Answer 8

Arguments about the past are always going to have only probable conclusions.

Question 9

Inductive Generalization (Inductive)

Answer 9

An inductive generalization is a broad or general conclusion (All or Most) that is inferred from a limited number of samples or particular examples.

Question 10

Arguments from Analogy

Answer 10

In analogies you are always comparing two things that have similar features in common and using these similarities to draw a conclusion that they are similar in yet another way as well. Based on the systematic relationship between these two similarities one can draw a conclusion.