P: Mt. Lyell is 53 feet taller than Mt. Dana, and Mt. Dana peaks at an elevation of 13,053 feet.
C: Therefore, it certainly follows that Mt. Lyell is
... [Show More] 13,106 feet in elevation.
Argument B
P: Julia Child, a famous chef, has explained in detail how to make a good souffle.
C
:
Therefore, it certainly follows that Julia Child's recipe really will make a good souffle.
Each argument contains a deductive indicator word (such as "necessarily" or "certainly"). Type the
indicator words in the spaces provided.
Argument A indicator word:
certainly
Points:
1 / 1
Argument B indicator word:
certainly
Points:
1 / 1
Close Explanation
Explanation:
Deductive indicator words are often, but not always, used to suggest that a conclusion follows by
necessity. Common indicator words are "necessarily," "certainly," "must," and so on. In Argument A,
the word "certainly" is paired with the conclusion "Mt. Lyell is 13,106 feet in elevation." In Argument B,
the word "certainly" is paired with the conclusion "Julia Child's recipe really will make a good souffle."
Which of the preceding arguments are deductive?
Only Argument B
Only Argument A
Neither Argument A nor Argument B
Both Argument A and Argument B
Points:
1 / 1
Close Explanation
Explanation:
Even though both arguments use deductive indicator words, only one of the arguments is really
deductive. Remember that you should not rely exclusively on indicator words when you are deciding
whether an argument is deductive or inductive. Instead, you should try to identify the type of
reasoning going on in the argument. Ask yourself: "Does this argument use a deductive or an inductive
form of reasoning?" In this case, Argument A is deductive, because it is an argument based on
mathematics. By contrast, Argument B is inductive, because it is an argument from authority.
Deductive indicator words are sometimes used, either intentionally or unintentionally, to make a
conclusion seem to follow more strongly than it really does.
Based on the preceding arguments, is it true or false that a deductive indicator word reliably signifies
that an argument is deductive?
True
False
Points:
1 / 1
Close Explanation
Explanation:
Deductive indicator words can often be a useful means for deciding whether an arguer intends for a
conclusion to follow by necessity. However, deductive indicator words may also be employed to make
the conclusions of inductive arguments seem to follow with more strength than they really do. The
important lesson here is that indicator words can be useful, but are not a reliable means for deciding
whether an argument is deductive or inductive. [Show Less]