5Dec19 SS Q15
0. Which one of the following statements is correct with reference to a deductive argument?
- A
The relation between premises and conclusion is one of matter of fact
- B
The relation between premises and conclusion is one of logical necessity
- C
The relation between premises and conclusion is that of empirical necessity
- D
The relation between premises and conclusion is a matter of ascertainment of probability
- Option : B
- Explanation : The distinction between deductive and inductive argumentation was first noticed by the Aristotle (384-322 B.C.E.) in ancient Greece. The difference between deductive and inductive arguments does not lie in the words used within the arguments, but rather in the intentions of the arguer. It comes from the relationship the arguer takes there to be between the premises and the conclusion. If the arguer believes that the truth of the premises definitely establishes the truth of the conclusion, then the argument is deductive. If the arguer believes that the truth of the premises provides only good reasons to believe the conclusion is probably true, then the argument is inductive. If we who are assessing the quality of the argument have no information about the intentions of the arguer, then we check for both. That is, we assess the argument to see whether it is deductively valid and whether it is inductively strong.
