Philosophy / Unit 1 Philosophy 0018 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Deductive and Inductive Arguments
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The idea
A deductive argument claims its conclusion follows necessarily from its premises; an inductive argument claims probable support. The claim, not its success, classifies the argument.
In practice
"Every planet orbits; Mars is a planet; so Mars orbits"—deductive. "The bakery has opened at seven all year; it will tomorrow"—inductive.
Where people slip
"Deductive" is a category, not a compliment. Each type answers to its own standard.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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