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PHIL 1100
Types of Arguments
Argument
s
Abductive
NonDeductiv
e
Deductiv
e
Inductive
Analogica
l
Deductive Arguments
Truth of the premises guarantees the truth
of the conclusion
E.g.:
1. If it is raining, then the streets will be
wet.
2. It is raining.
3. Therefore, the streets will be wet
Inductive Arguments
Generalize from smaller sample.
Common in scientific investigation.
E.g.:
1. Every time Ive walked by that dog he didnt
try to bite me.
2. Therefore, next time I walk by the dog, he
wont try to bite me.
Abductive Arguments
E.g.,
Analogical Arguments
Takes two things that are similar in some respects and
concludes they must be similar in other respects.
E.g., Humans and rats have similar physiology.
Thalidomide is safe for rats. Therefore, thalidomide will
probably be safe in humans.
Reconstructing an Argument
Missing Premises
1. Dougs birthday is tomorrow
Therefore, Bob should buy him a present.
. Does the mere fact that it is Dougs birthday give us
reason to conclude that Bob should buy him a present?
Practice
Identify the premises and conclusion in the
arguments on your handout. Supply any
missing premises or conclusion.
Longer Argument
Reconstruction
It just disgusts me how many people are willing to stick
with science and ignore all the spiritual aspects of life.
This is a sad feature of our timesand by the way, it
reminds me a little of the ancient Romans, who lived in a
very corrupt time. Heres what they said about the
emperor Nero, one of the late Roman emperors. He
fiddled while Rome burnedthat was it. Well, anyways,
the point I want to make here is that science does not
provide a sufficient guide for human life, because it does
not provide us with values. We need values to live our
lives by.
Longer Argument
Reconstruction
1. Science does not provide us with values.
2. We need values to live our lives by.
Therefore, science does not provide us with a sufficient
guide for human life.
. Whats the arguments structure?
. Is it any good?