Evaluating Arguments

Deductive Argument

1. All men are mortal. Alex is a man. Therefore Alex is mortal. If the first two
statements are true, then the conclusion must be true.

2. Bachelors are unmarried women. Georgina is unmarried. Therefore,

Georgina is a bachelor.

3. All birds have feathers. All parrots are birds. Therefore, parrots have
feathers.

4. All cats have a keen sense of smell. Fluffy is a cat, so Fluffy has a keen
sense of smell.

5. All horses have manes. The Arabian is a horse; therefore, Arabians have
manes.

Inductive Argument

1. Arnold is a grandfather. Arnold is bald. Therefore, all grandfathers are bald.

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2. Every time I’ve walked by that dog, it hasn’t tried to bite me. So, the next
time I walk by that dog it won’t try to bite me.

3. The first lipstick I pulled from my bag is red. The second lipstick I pulled
from my bag is red. Therefore, all the lipsticks in my bag are red.

4. My mother is Irish. She has blond hair. Therefore, everyone from Ireland has
blond hair.

5. It’s sunny in America. If it’s sunny in America, then he won’t be carrying an

umbrella. So, he won’t be carrying an umbrella.