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Three Types of Logical Arguments on Tue Nov 10, 2009 8:31 pm
Three Types of Logical Arguments
http://www.reasons.org/Logic101Part10of12
There are three important forms of reasoning or arguments with which students of logic should be familiar.
1.Deductive Arguments:
Deductive arguments are constructed in such a way as to produce conclusions that follow with certainty or with logical necessity from the premises. In a valid deductive argument, the reasoning process between the premises and conclusion is so well connected so as to guarantee or ensure the conclusion.
Here's an example of a particular type of deductive argument:
If Joan is a mother, then she must be a woman. Joan is a mother. Therefore, Joan is a woman.
2. Inductive Arguments:
Inductive arguments are constructed to produce conclusions that will probably follow from the premises. A strong inductive argument offers enough evidence to make the conclusion likely (or highly likely).
Here's an example of an inductive argument:
Voters in the state of Massachusetts predominantly vote for Democratic candidates over Republicans. Therefore, it's expected that the next U.S. senator elected in Massachusetts will be a Democrat.
3. Abductive Arguments:
Abductive arguments attempt to arrive at the best explanation for an event or a given series of facts. Unlike deduction, abduction provides no certainty in its conclusions but, like induction, yields more or less probable truth. In contrast to induction, however, abductive reasoning doesn't try to predict specific probable outcomes. Rather, this method tries to provide the best broad explanatory hypothesis. I use abductive reasoning in arguing that the best explanation of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ is that he was the divine Messiah (see chapter 8 of my book Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions).
These are the three basic types of reasoning (or arguments) found in the study of logic. If you would like to sharpen your own thinking skills, my critical thinking course is offered in Reasons Institute. (And I'm pleased to say it's the most popular class among the students.)
http://www.reasons.org/Logic101Part10of12
There are three important forms of reasoning or arguments with which students of logic should be familiar.
1.Deductive Arguments:
Deductive arguments are constructed in such a way as to produce conclusions that follow with certainty or with logical necessity from the premises. In a valid deductive argument, the reasoning process between the premises and conclusion is so well connected so as to guarantee or ensure the conclusion.
Here's an example of a particular type of deductive argument:
If Joan is a mother, then she must be a woman. Joan is a mother. Therefore, Joan is a woman.
2. Inductive Arguments:
Inductive arguments are constructed to produce conclusions that will probably follow from the premises. A strong inductive argument offers enough evidence to make the conclusion likely (or highly likely).
Here's an example of an inductive argument:
Voters in the state of Massachusetts predominantly vote for Democratic candidates over Republicans. Therefore, it's expected that the next U.S. senator elected in Massachusetts will be a Democrat.
3. Abductive Arguments:
Abductive arguments attempt to arrive at the best explanation for an event or a given series of facts. Unlike deduction, abduction provides no certainty in its conclusions but, like induction, yields more or less probable truth. In contrast to induction, however, abductive reasoning doesn't try to predict specific probable outcomes. Rather, this method tries to provide the best broad explanatory hypothesis. I use abductive reasoning in arguing that the best explanation of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ is that he was the divine Messiah (see chapter 8 of my book Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions).
These are the three basic types of reasoning (or arguments) found in the study of logic. If you would like to sharpen your own thinking skills, my critical thinking course is offered in Reasons Institute. (And I'm pleased to say it's the most popular class among the students.)
