Identify the premises and the conclusion of each of the following inductive arguments. If the argument belongs
Question:
Identify the premises and the conclusion of each of the following inductive arguments. If the argument belongs to one of the six common types of inductive argument, identify which one.
1. Waynesburg, a small town in Pennsylvania, celebrates “Rain Day” on July 29th each year. Records show that it has rained on July 29 in Waynesburg on 108 of the last 130 years. It is very likely that rain will fall in Waynesburg on July 29 next year.
7. Guillain-Barre (GBD) is a rare and serious disease of the peripheral nervous system, often associated with ascending paralysis. Some people claim that it can be brought on by flu vaccine.
A recent study though, reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that for 90 million doses of the vaccine in China during the 2009 swine flu epidemic, there were only 11 cases of GBD. This rate of the disease is actually lower than the percentage of GBD in the general population in China, and no other adverse side effects were noted. So we can conclude that receiving the flu vaccine does not raise the risk of contracting GBD.
C. From Exercise Set 3.5 (p. 101)
Instructions: Point out the fallacious reasoning in each of the following. Make sure to write in complete sentences. (3 pts each)
1. Although the evidence is overwhelming that Mr. J. has skimmed almost a million dollars from public funds entrusted to him for the city’s regatta, he shouldn’t be convicted of that crime because he is over 70 years old and has just completed a series of treatments for pancreatic cancer.
5. Vaccinating children against measles is a leading cause of autism. I know this is so because most of the children in my son’s school program for autistic children were vaccinated.
7. A 74-year-old grandmother was arrested on suspicion of having stolen $50,000 worth of jewelry and silver from families who had employed her as nurse for newborn children. Police said that the alleged victims of the woman have been reluctant to press charges because “she’s such a sweet, nice lady….It’s just like she’s your grandmother.”
Expert Answer:
1 The conclusion of this argument is that it is very likely that rain will fall in Waynesburg on Jul... View the full answer
