Under construction: Building inductive arguments

Here is the game plan:

Define key terms and concepts in inductive logic.

Identify general methods for strengthening inductive arguments.

Distinguish different types of inductive arguments.

Evaluate inductive arguments with methods appropriate to their type.

Compare and contrast the advantages of deduction and induction.

Discussion Boards

We will prepare an inductively strong argument in Discussion Board 1, To prepare to write this discussion, read Chapters 5 and 6, focusing especially the section on "Strengthening Inductive Reasoning" in Chapter 5. Take a look as well at the required resources from this week, including What is a Strong Argument? (By the way, these lectures have been transcribed and organized with some graphics, and as a courtesy I'm providing the Drop Box links to these for your review. )

For Discussion Board 2: To prepare for this lesson take a close look at the sections from Chapter 5 on "Inference to the Best Explanation," "Form," "Virtue of Simplicity," and "How to Assess an Explanation." Choose a topic that is difficult or controversial to explain. Some good topics include hoaxes, unusual sightings (e.g. UFOs, Bigfoot, the Loch Ness monster), the supernatural or paranormal, events that are the subject of conspiracy theories, unsolved crimes or other court cases, etc. Also see section 6.5 and forward in our textbook

As referred to above, check out these Drop Box links for lecture transcripts:

Deduction and valid arguments

goo.gl/9iP7ib

What is a valid argument?

goo.gl/pzgnFv

What is a strong argument?

goo.gl/CwpOLX

Inductive Reasoning Discussion

PLEASE READ CAREFUL:

Your instructor will choose the discussion question and post it as the first post in the discussion forum. The requirements for the discussion this week are a minimum of four posts on four separate days including responses to at least two classmates.. The total combined word count for all of your posts for this discussion, counted together, should be at least 600 words. Answer all the questions in the prompt, and read any resources that are required to complete the discussion properly.

We recommend that you get into the discussion early and spread out your posts over the course of the week. Reply to your classmates and instructor. Attempt to take the conversation further by examining their claims or arguments in more depth or responding to the posts that they make to you. Keep the discussion on target, and analyze things in as much detail as you can.

Prompt option 1: Creating an Inductively Strong argument (Also check out the attachment) This week we are learning about the power of inductive reasoning. Inductive reasoning is not only extremely common, but it can also provide very good evidence for conclusions. This discussion prompt allows you to present an inductive version of the argument that you have been developing in this course. Prepare: To prepare to write this discussion, read Chapters 5 and 6, focusing especially the section on "Strengthening Inductive Reasoning" in Chapter 5. Take a look as well at the required resources from this week, including What is a Strong Argument? [Link] Reflect: Create a new (and improved) version of the argument that you have been developing throughout this course. Try to make sure that all of your premises are true and that your reasoning is inductively strong. Again, consider how someone with the opposite point of view might criticize your argument and see if you can improve it to avoid those objections. Write: Present your argument in standard form and explain any weaknesses that might remain. A weakness could mean a premise that many might disagree with or questions about the strength of the inference. Indicate briefly how you might address those weaknesses to strengthen your argument further. What further information might strengthen your argument the most? Guided Response: Read the arguments presented by your classmates and analyze the reasoning that they have presented. Comment on the strength of their reasoning. Help them out by pointing out any respect in which a reasonable person might disagree with the truth of their premises or with the strength of their reasoning. Give suggestions for how the argument might be improved. If someone presents good suggestions for your own argument respond with an improved version of the argument.

Manage Discussion Entry

This week we are learning about the power of inductive reasoning. Inductive reasoning is not only extremely common, but it can also provide very good evidence for conclusions. This discussion prompt allows you to present an inductive version of the argument that you have been developing in this course.

Prepare: To prepare to write this discussion, read Chapters 5 and 6, focusing especially the section on "Strengthening Inductive Reasoning" in Chapter 5. Take a look as well at the required resources from this week, including What is a Strong Argument? [Link]

Reflect: Create a new (and improved) version of the argument that you have been developing throughout this course. Try to make sure that all of your premises are true and that your reasoning is inductively strong. Again, consider how someone with the opposite point of view might criticize your argument and see if you can improve it to avoid those objections.

Write: Present your argument in standard form and explain any weaknesses that might remain. A weakness could mean a premise that many might disagree with or questions about the strength of the inference. Indicate briefly how you might address those weaknesses to strengthen your argument further. What further information might strengthen your argument the most?