Week 4 Discussion: Distinguishing
Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
4949 unread replies.7979 replies.
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 8, 9, 17 (Introduct
...
Week 4 Discussion: Distinguishing
Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
4949 unread replies.7979 replies.
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 8, 9, 17 (Introduction)
Lesson
Minimum of 1 scholarly source (in addition to the textbook)
Click on the following tabs to review the concepts that will be addressed in this activity:
Valid Argument Structures
Deductive
Inductive
A valid structure is the way in which an argument is put together that assures it will pass
the test of logical strength.
The Basic Structure of Deductive and Inductive Arguments
Click on the following links to view argument examples:
Link: Deductive Argument Example
Link: Inductive Argument
Initial Post Instructions
For the initial post, address the following:
Find and post examples of deductive and inductive arguments. Do NOT use an
argument example which clearly indicates it is an example of an
inductive/deductive argument.
For each example, evaluate its logical strength, using the concepts and ideas
presented in the textbook readings, the lesson, and any other source you find
that helps you to evaluate the validity (deductive) or strength (inductive) of the
argument. You can use examples from the text, or you can find examples
elsewhere.
o Editorials and opinion columns are a good source, as are letters to the
editor. Blogs will also often be based on arguments.
o Use mapping and evaluative techniques to make sure it is an argument.
Is it inductive or deductive? Explain why.
Does it pass the tests of validity and strength? Explain.
Follow-Up Post Instructions
Respond to at least one peer. Further the dialogue by providing more information and
clarification. Do you agree with their analysis – be very specific about why you agree or
disagree.
Writing Requirements
Minimum of 2 posts (1 initial & 1 follow-up)
Minimum of 2 sources cited (assigned readings/online lessons and an outside
source)
APA format for in-text citations and list of references
Grading
This activity will be graded using the Discussion Grading Rubric. Please review the
following link:
Link (webpage): Discussion Guidelines
Course Outcomes (CO): 3, 4
Due Date for Initial Post: By 11:59 p.m. MT Recommended by Wednesday
Due Date for Follow-Up Posts: By 11:59 p.m. MT on Sunday
Posts must be on separate days.
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Collapse Subdiscussion Jason Oakes
Jason Oakes
Apr 21, 2021Local: Apr 21 at 12:40am
Course: Apr 20 at 10:40pm
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And here we go with another week.
Over the years teaching this kind of material, I have come up with 2 words
that I think are helpful when trying to understand and recognize the difference
between inductive and deductive arguments.
Inductive = Probability
Deductive = Watertight
Here is what this is intended to remind you of.
Inductive argument are based around what is likely or probable (the
conclusion is likely to follow from the premises).
Deductive arguments are meant to give an argument that is necessary, or as I
say watertight (the conclusion logically MUST follow from the premises).
Example of Inductive (probability)
1. Most surgeons are egotistical
2. Dr. Funke is a surgeon
Therefore Dr. Funke is likely egotistical
If 1 and 2 are True, than the conclusion has a high probability of being true,
but Dr. Funke could be the exception - a non-egotistical surgeon.
Here is an example of a deductive argument (watertight):
All Nurses are kind and loving
Nurse Ratchet is a Nurse
Therefore Nurse Ratchet is kind and loving
In a deductive argument, if 1 and 2 are true, then the conclusion MUST be
true. There is no logical way of escaping it. It is watertight.
Here is a chart that can be helpful as well in thinking through these
differences
Huber, Franz. “Confirmation and Induction.” In Internet Encyclopedia of
Philosophy. Edited by James Fieser and Bradley Dowden. 2007.
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Collapse Subdiscussion Meryl McGowan
Meryl McGowan
May 26, 2021Local: May 26 at 6:49pm
Course: May 26 at
4:49pm
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Hey Professor and friends!
How do we believe something is true? Learning about inductive and
deductive reasoning was quite a challenge, in fact each week keeps
making me realize how much communication is such a bigger part of
the world than I thought.
Inductive reasoning or probable arguments can be summarized as
"although it does not yield certainty, inductive reasoning can provide a
confident basis for solid belief in our conclusions and a reason-able
basis for action" (Facione P., & Gittens, 2015). basically, several
different examples of why the thought is true but never certain, only
probable.
An example of inductive reasoning would be:
1. A chair in the dining room is velvet.
2. A chair in the bedroom is velvet.
Therefore, all the chairs in the house are probably velvet.
An example if deductive reasoning would be:
1. All bunnies have fuzzy tails.
2. A cottontail is a breed of bunny.
Therefore, all cottontails have fuzzy tails.
This is taking two true statements and draw a conclusion from them,
this conclusion may not be true but the facts are true.
References
Betts, J. (n.d.). Deductive reasoning examples. Retrieved May 26,
2021, from https://examples.yourdictionary.com/deductive-reasoning-
examples.html (Links to an external site.)
Facione, P. A., & Gittens, C. A. (2016). Think critically (3rd ed.). Boston:
Pearson.
(1 like)
Erjona Ulaj
Erjona Ulaj
May 28, 2021Local: May 28 at 3:08pm
Course: May 28
at 1:08pm
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Hi Meryl,
I enjoyed reading your post, I agree that learning inductive and
deductive reasoning was a challenge. At first I would read about
it and would feel as though I understood it; then I would mix up
the definitions again. The examples were a huge help and your
examples were great. With inductive argument it's important to
use the word "probably" and for deductive it is important to use
"therefore" or "so" which you did. Your deductive argument
showed two true statements with a conclusion derived from
them that may not be true. Excellent job!
Nordia Maddis
Nordia Maddis
May 30, 2021Local: May 30 at 6:08am
Course: May 30
at 4:08am
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Hi Meryl,
I love your approach to deductive and inductive reasoning. Like
you also had a hard time learning and comprehension of the
definition was also hard for me but after thorough research and
a lot of examples, I understood. According to (Facione &
Gittenns 2016), reasoning skills are used when one draws
conclusions from what they think is possibly true. I love that you
used the word “probably” in your inductive argument as an
inductive argument is based on what is probable or likely
Danielle Diaz
Danielle Diaz
May 30, 2021Local: May 30 at 3:34pm
Course: May 30
at 1:34pm
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Hello Meryl,
I really did have a great time reading your post and agree with
the fact that deductive and inductive reasoning is a difficult
challenge, however it is rewarding to know. I also think the
example from the text that you used was a perfect short
explanation of the topic. The examples you also used for
inductive/deductive reasoning were very well put and helped me
understand the definition better.
Collapse Subdiscussion Bousso Diop
Bousso Diop
May 24, 2021Local: May 24 at 6:42pm
Course: May 24 at 4:42pm
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Hello Everyone! I hope you are all well.
A deductive and inductive argument differ in structure and strength of
conclusion (Moffat, 2014).
Deductive argument example:
P1: Susan is John’s younger sister. = True
P2: Linda is John’s elder sister. = True
C: So, Linda is Susan’s elder sister. = Must necessarily True
For this example, note that the structure of the premises started from general
principle: 'Susan is John’s younger sister' to infer a specific proposition, 'Linda
is Susan’s elder sister'. And since the premises are true, the conclusion must
be necessarily true; thus, a sound conclusion (Facione & Gittens, 2016). Also
this is a valid argument because of the meaning of its relationship, in this
case they are siblings. This argument passed the tests of validity and
strength.
Inductive argument example:
P1: Anthony was at risk of dying from the severe fall that he took when he
was climbing. = True
P2: Many who had the same near-fatal experience become averse to
climbing afterward. =True
C: So, Anthony will surely become averse to climbing after his fall.
= Maybe True
As for the above example, note that the structure of an inductive reasoning
started with a specific proposition: 'Anthony was at risk of dying from the
severe fall that he took when he was climbing', to infer general principle, "So,
Anthony will surely become averse to climbing after his fall". Though the
premises are true, the conclusion is not strong because it can be either true
or not. This argument passed the tests of validity and strength also
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