Although both front and rear doors were found open after the burglary, there were pry

I. Determine whether the following arguments are best interpreted as being inductive or deductive. Also state the criteria you use in reaching your decision (i.e., the presence of indicator words, the nature of the inferential link between premises and conclusion, or the character or form of argumentation).

9. Although both front and rear doors were found open after the burglary, there were pry marks around the lock on the rear door and deposits of mud near the threshold. It must be the case that the thief entered through the rear door and left through the front.

Step By Step Solutions

Step 1 of 2

Argument, premises and conclusion

The statements that make up an argument are divided into one or more premises and exactly one conclusion.

The premises are the statements that set forth the reasons or evidence, and the conclusion is the statement that the evidence is claimed to support or imply.

That is, the conclusion is the statement that is claimed to follow from the premises.

Inductive and deductive argument

A deductive argument is an argument incorporating the claim that it is impossible for the conclusion to be false given that the premises are true.

An inductive argument is an argument incorporating the claim that it is improbable that the conclusion be false given that the premises are true.

To decide whether an argument is inductive or deductive look for

1.  the occurrence of special indicator words

2.  the actual strength of the inferential link between premises and conclusion, and

3.  the form or style of argumentation.