Formal Versus Informal Logic Deductive Versus Inductive Forms

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Formal Versus Informal Logic Deductive Versus Inductive Forms of Reasoning

Formal Versus Informal Logic Deductive Versus Inductive Forms of Reasoning

Two basic categories of human reasoning • Deduction: reasoning from general premises, which are

Two basic categories of human reasoning • Deduction: reasoning from general premises, which are known or presumed to be known, to more specific, certain conclusions. • Induction: reasoning from specific cases to more general, but uncertain, conclusions. • Both deductive and inductive arguments occur frequently and naturally…both forms of reasoning can be equally compelling and persuasive, and neither form is preferred over the other (Hollihan & Baske, 1994).

Deduction Vs. Induction Deduction: Induction • commonly associated • with “formal logic. ” •

Deduction Vs. Induction Deduction: Induction • commonly associated • with “formal logic. ” • involves reasoning from known premises, • or premises presumed to be true, to a certain conclusion. • the conclusions • reached are certain, inevitable, inescapable. commonly known as “informal logic, ” or “everyday argument” involves drawing uncertain inferences, based on probabalistic reasoning. the conclusions reached are probable, reasonable, plausible, believable.

Deductive Versus Inductive Reasoning Deduction • It is the form or structure of a

Deductive Versus Inductive Reasoning Deduction • It is the form or structure of a deductive argument that determines its validity • the fundamental property of a valid, deductive argument is that if the premises are true, then the conclusion necessarily follows. • The conclusion is said to be “entailed” in, or contained in, the premises. – example: use of DNA testing to establish paternity Induction • By contrast, the form or structure of an inductive argument has little to do with its perceived believability or credibility, apart from making the argument seem more clear or more well-organized. • The receiver (or a 3 rd party) determines the worth of an inductive argument

Inductive or deductive reasoning? • A sample of fifty • The Law of the

Inductive or deductive reasoning? • A sample of fifty • The Law of the Sea treaty motorists who were states that any vessel stopped by the CHP at a beyond a 12 mile limit is sobriety checkpoint on a in international waters. Saturday at midnight The treaty also states revealed that one in four that any vessel in drivers were either international waters uninsured, intoxicated, or cannot be legally stopped both. Thus, if you get or boarded. Therefore, involved in an accident when the U. S. Coast on the freeway there is a Guard intercepts boats 25% chance the other coming from Cuba or motorist will be drunk or Haiti more than 12 miles uninsured. from the U. S. coast, it is violating the Law of the Sea.

Sample Deductive and Inductive Arguments Example of Deduction • major premise: All tortoises are

Sample Deductive and Inductive Arguments Example of Deduction • major premise: All tortoises are vegetarians • minor premise: Bessie is a tortoise • conclusion: Therefore, Bessie is a vegetarian Example of Induction • Boss to employee: “Biff has a tattoo of an anchor on his arm. He probably served in the Navy. ”

Deduction Versus Induction ---continued • Deductive reasoning is either “valid” or “invalid. ” A

Deduction Versus Induction ---continued • Deductive reasoning is either “valid” or “invalid. ” A deductive argument can’t be “sort of” valid. • Inductive reasoning enjoys a wide range of probability; it can be plausible, possible, reasonable, credible, etc. • the inferences drawn may be placed on a continuum ranging from cogent at one end to fallacious at the other. • If the reasoning employed in an argument is valid and the argument’s premises are true, then the argument is said to be sound. valid reasoning fallacious + true premises = sound argument cogent

Deduction Versus Induction --still more • Deductive reasoning is commonly found in the natural

Deduction Versus Induction --still more • Deductive reasoning is commonly found in the natural sciences or “hard” sciences, less so in everyday arguments • Occasionally, everyday arguments do involve deductive reasoning: Example: “Two or more persons are required to drive in the diamond lane. You don’t have two or more persons. Therefore you may not drive in the diamond lane” • Inductive reasoning is found in the courtroom, the boardroom, the classroom, and throughout the media • Most, but not all everyday arguments are based on induction – Examples: The “reasonable person” standard in civil law, and the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard in criminal law