Inductive Argument: What You Need To Know

An Inductive argument which others call the inductive reasoning is actually an argument which is intended to be so strong. It is composed of sentences which gives support to the likelihood or probability of the conclusion. It would not matter how many premises there might be, it is the conclusion’s strength found in the inductive arguments.

That is based on the inductive argument with the strength of the individual or particular premises supporting it. It is contrary to the deductive argument wherein the conclusion would be determined with its likelihood and probability being the truth.

Examples of Inductive Argument

You can find several inductive argument examples online which can make you understand it much easier. Here are some of the examples to give you an idea as to the inductive argument definition:

• She is always smiling.
• She has great hair cut.
• She moves so perfectly.
• Therefore, she is very beautiful.

It can be seen from this example of inductive argument that the premises are separately supporting the conclusion and that they do not depend to one another. This is a basic example of an inductive argument. Again, there are lots of examples of inductive arguments which can be found online and going through several of them would make it clearer as to what is an inductive argument.

Here is another example of an inductive argument where it can be seen that “probably” is being followed by the conclusion.

• Mario is an Italian.
• Most Italians eat pasta.
• Mario probably eats pasta.

The first two are the premises and the last sentence is the conclusion drawn based on the premises observed.

The Methods Of Reasoning

It is observed that reasoning can actually go in two opposite ways. It is where Inductive reasoning comes from the specific premises going to the general conclusion. The other is the deductive reasoning wherein it comes from the general premises and then to the more specific conclusion. The said methods can have two results which are not the same.

Again, the inductive argument does not always deliver conclusions that are real.

Some inductive arguments examples:

1. Andrew is a nurse. All nurses are kind. Therefore, it can be assumed that Andrew is nice.
2. All of the usually seen volleyball players are tall. Hence, all volleyball players must be tall.
3. Mitch is a doctor. Doctors are intelligent. Mitch is assumed to be intelligent.
4. Angela is a waitress. All waiters are cheerful. Hence, Angela is assumed to be cheerful.
5. All the cats that pass by the patio are white. Kit-kit is a cat. Kit-kit is white.

The above samples can also be considered as examples of construct an inductive argument for a specific conclusion.  The first two sentences were considered as premise while the third sentence is the conclusion.

Deductive and Inductive

With inductive reasoning or define inductive argument, there is no guarantee that there will be true conclusions that will be generated. That is very important for writing essays in college. It can be very interesting and likewise unsettling. The inductive reasoning brings about the prediction that the earth will continue on revolving around the sun to bring another day. Because of that, we all like to think that tomorrow will surely happen. The kind of reasoning is from the specific going to the general. The logic can be seen like that of the pets. With the pets, we can clearly see that there are foods that they really prefer to eat. Hence, we come to a decision to just buy the general food items that they prefer to eat. Here is an example to construct an inductive argument for a specific conclusion:

• All kittens you have seen purr.
• Therefore, every kitten should purr.
• Michelle is a dancer.
• Dancers are graceful.
• Michelle is graceful.

There can be a weak inductive argument because using this kind of argument is being too general with what is being perceived or seen in general.

The other type is the deductive reasoning. This is the contrast of inductive. The reasoning is from a general point of view down to the specific. The logic of deductive is more rigorous. It involves the use of reasoning structures. This is where the reality of the premises rationally produces the truth of the conclusion. The construction of the syntactic arrangement and proof logic of the piece parts ensures that true premises truly make real conclusions in deductive type of reasoning.

The Chart of Inductive Argument

The chart below can further help students to remember the way to evaluate the forms of inductive argument.