PHIL $547$: Critical Reasoning Week $4$: Guided Learning Activity: Inductive Reasoning and Causal Evaluation $$ ##### Section $1$: Forming Inductive Generalizations and Statistical Arguments. One of the hallmarks of critical thinking is making inductive generalizations. We don$$t help but do them, so we might as well learn how to do them well. Read pages $299-301$ to help with that. $$ Passage $1$: Consumer Preferences $[$A$]$ A survey of $10,000$ consumers reveals that $65\%$ prefer shopping online over visiting physical stores. $[$B$]$Some industry experts argue that the trend may be influenced by temporary factors such as seasonal discounts. $[$C$]$ However, a major retailer, seeing a rise in e$-$commerce sales, shifts its focus toward digital marketing. $[$D$]$ Despite this, company executives are saying online shopping will continue growing. $[$E$]$ They plan to expand their digital platform based on the survey results. Question $1$: Which line introduces the generalization made from the survey results? $-$ a$.$ A $-$ b$.$ B $-$ c$.$ C $-$ d$.$ D e$.$ E Question $2$: Which line describes an action taken as a result of the generalization? $-$ a$.$ A $-$ b$.$ B $-$ c$.$ C $-$ d$.$ D $-$e$.$ E Question $3$: Which line represents a prediction? $-$ a$.$ A $-$ b$.$ B $-$ c$.$ C $-$ d$.$ D $-$e$.$ E Question $4$: Which line introduces an alternative explanation for the observed trend? $-$ a$.$ A $-$ b$.$ B $-$ c$.$ C $-$ d$.$ D $-$e$.$ E Question $5$: Which line describes a long$-$term consequence of the argument? $-$ a$.$ A $-$ b$.$ B $-$ c$.$ C $-$ d$.$ D E$.$ e ##### Section $2$: Evaluating Inductive Generalizations. Generalizations are fraught with difficulties. While it$$s essential and unavoidable that we do them, there are better and worse ways. We don$$t want our reasoning to conclude, $$Based on page $3$ of the company handbook, all employees should work from home because it shows how awesome I am$.$ Passage $2$: Workplace Productivity $[$A$]$ A company surveys its employees and finds that $80\%$ report higher productivity when working remotely. $[$B$]$ Management implements a flexible work policy to allow remote work more frequently. $[$C$]$ Some analysts suggest that the productivity boost may be temporary due to the novelty of remote work. $[$D$]$ The company monitors long$-$term performance trends to evaluate the effectiveness of the policy. $[$E$]$ Some employees report preferring office environments for better collaboration. $$ Question $6$: Which line presents an inductive generalization? $-$ a$.$ A $-$ b$.$ B $-$ c$.$ C $-$ d$.$ D $-$e$.$E $$ Question $7$: Which line acknowledges counterarguments to the generalization? $-$ a$.$ A $-$ b$.$ B $-$ c$.$ C $-$ d$.$ D e$.$ E $$ Question $8$: Which line describes an action based on the generalization? $-$ a$.$ A $-$ b$.$ B $-$ c$.$ C $-$ d$.$ D $-$e$.$ E $$ Question $9$: Which line presents an ongoing evaluation to strengthen the argument? $-$ a$.$ A $-$ b$.$ B $-$ c$.$ C $-$ d$.$ D $-$e$.$E $$ Question $10$: Which line introduces an alternative explanation that challenges the generalization? $-$ a$.$ A $-$ b$.$ B $-$ c$.$ C $-$ d$.$ D $-$e$.$ E