Inductive and Deductive Reasoning

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What is deductive reasoning?

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Deductive reasoning is a logical process where a conclusion is reached by applying general principles to specific cases. It starts with a general statement or hypothesis and examines the possibilities to reach a specific, logical conclusion.

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What is inductive reasoning?

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Inductive reasoning is a logical process where generalizations are made based on specific observations or examples. It involves looking for patterns and making predictions based on those patterns.

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What is a syllogism?

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A syllogism is a form of deductive reasoning that consists of two premises followed by a conclusion. For example: Premise 1: All humans are mortal. Premise 2: Socrates is a human. Conclusion: Socrates is mortal.

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What is a conditional statement?

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A conditional statement is an if-then statement that expresses a relationship between two events or conditions. For example: If it rains (condition), then the ground will be wet (result).

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What is the contrapositive of a conditional statement?

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The contrapositive of a conditional statement 'If P, then Q' is 'If not Q, then not P'. It is logically equivalent to the original statement.

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What is the difference between valid and invalid arguments?

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A valid argument is one where if the premises are true, the conclusion must also be true. An invalid argument has premises that do not guarantee the truth of the conclusion.

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What is an example of inductive reasoning?

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An example of inductive reasoning is observing that the sun has risen in the east every day of your life and concluding that the sun will rise in the east tomorrow.

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What is an example of deductive reasoning?

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An example of deductive reasoning is: All birds have feathers. A sparrow is a bird. Therefore, a sparrow has feathers.

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What is a fallacy?

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A fallacy is a flaw in reasoning that renders an argument invalid. Common fallacies include ad hominem, straw man, and slippery slope.

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What is a premise in logical reasoning?

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A premise is a statement or proposition that provides the foundation for an argument. It is an assumption that supports the conclusion.