An argument in which the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises - if the premises are true then the conclusion is also true
Inductive argument
An argument in which the acceptance of the conclusion depends on the strength of the premises - the premises do not prove but merely support the conclusion
Evaluating a deductive argument
1. Are the premises true?
2. Is the form of the argument valid?
Evaluating an inductive argument
1. Are the premises true or at least acceptable?
2. Are the premises relevant to the issue at hand?
3. Are the premises compelling enough to justify the conclusion?
Deductive arguments
Premises are facts that can be proven true or false
Argument is valid if it's not possible for the premises to be true and the conclusion to be false
Inductive arguments
Premises may be matters of opinion rather than facts
Evaluation falls into a range from weak to strong based on acceptability, relevance, and sufficiency of premises
Types of inductive arguments
Generalizations
Analogies
General principles
Causal reasoning
Many of the topics introduced here will be discussed in more detail later
