Practice question · Sort into groups
Sort each argument by whether it is deductive or inductive.
Groups: Deductive · Inductive
- This drug helped 90 of 100 patients; so it will probably help the next
- If it rains the match is cancelled; it rains; so it is cancelled
- Every swan observed so far has been white; so all swans are white
- All humans are mortal; Socrates is human; so Socrates is mortal
Hints
- Ask whether the conclusion goes beyond what the premises already contain.
- Generalising from observed cases always reaches beyond the evidence.
Show the answer
Deductive: All humans are mortal; Socrates is human; so Socrates is mortal, If it rains the match is cancelled; it rains; so it is cancelled
Inductive: Every swan observed so far has been white; so all swans are white, This drug helped 90 of 100 patients; so it will probably help the next
Why
A deductive conclusion is already contained in its premises, so a valid deduction adds no information. Inductive conclusions genuinely go beyond the evidence, which is why they can be strong or weak but never valid.
Practise Arguments, Validity and Soundness
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More questions on Arguments, Validity and Soundness
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