PHIL 109: Inductive & Deductive Arguments Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts, evaluation criteria, common forms, and examples of deductive and inductive arguments for PHIL 109.

Deductive Argument

An argument where the premises are intended to guarantee the conclusion with certainty.

Inductive Argument

An argument where the premises are intended to make the conclusion probable, not guaranteed.

Valid

A deductive argument whose structure works such that if the premises were true, the conclusion logically follows and cannot be false.

Invalid

A deductive argument where the conclusion does not necessarily follow from the premises.

Sound

A valid deductive argument with true premises.

Unsound

A deductive argument that is invalid, or has at least one false premise.

Strong

An inductive argument whose premises give good support to the conclusion.

Weak

An inductive argument whose premises give little support to the conclusion.

Cogent

A strong inductive argument with true premises.

Uncogent

An inductive argument that is weak, or has at least one false premise.

Certainty

The kind of support deductive arguments aim to provide.

Probability

The kind of support inductive arguments aim to provide.

Argument from Analogy

An inductive argument that compares things and reasons that because they are similar in certain ways, they are probably similar in another way too. Common clue words include 'similarly' and 'likewise'.

Conditional Deductive Form

A common deductive argument form structured as IF … THEN (e.g., If Joe cheats, then Joe fails. Joe cheated. Therefore, Joe failed).

Disjunctive Deductive Form

A common deductive argument form structured as EITHER … OR (e.g., Either Maya is in class or at home. Maya is not at home. Therefore, Maya is in class).

Categorical Deductive Form

A common deductive argument form structured using ALL / NO / SOME (e.g., All freshmen are college students. Mia is a freshman. Therefore, Mia is a college student).

Two-Step Identification Method

STEP 1: Assume every premise is true. STEP 2: Ask if the conclusion could STILL be false? NO $\rightarrow$ Deductive; YES, but evidence makes it likely $\rightarrow$ Inductive.

One-Line Memory Check

Deductive = MUST = Valid/Sound | Inductive = PROBABLY = Strong/Cogent