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Question

"Ten milligrams of substance X was fed to ten mice. All of them died within two minutes. One could conclude. This amount of substance is fatal to the average mouse". Which of the following statements regarding above argument are true? 

A. It commits the fallacy of Hasty generalization. 

B. It commits the fallacy of Irrelevant conclusion. 

C. It is a strong inductive argument.

 D. It is a weak deductive argument. 

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

This question was previously asked in
UGC NET 2022 Paper 1 Question Paper (22-Oct-2022) (Shift 2)
The correct answer is

C only

The given argument claims that since ten milligrams of substance X caused all ten mice to die within two minutes, this amount of the substance is fatal to the average mouse. Let's evaluate this claim by analyzing each provided statement:

  1. A. It commits the fallacy of Hasty generalization:
    • A hasty generalization occurs when a conclusion is drawn based on a small sample that is not representative of the population. While the argument is based on a sample of ten mice, the statement does not clearly commit hasty generalization since the conclusion is only about "the average mouse" and not mice in general. Therefore, this statement is not true in the context provided.
  2. B. It commits the fallacy of Irrelevant conclusion:
    • An irrelevant conclusion, or ignoratio elenchi, occurs when an argument that purports to prove one thing instead proves a different, often irrelevant, conclusion. Here, the conclusion specifically pertains to the substance's effect on mice, which remains relevant to the argument. Hence, this statement is also not applicable.
  3. C. It is a strong inductive argument:
    • Inductive arguments use specific observations to draw broader generalizations. Given that all ten mice died after ingesting substance X, it can be considered a strong inductive reasoning to conclude that this dosage may be fatal to mice generally. This makes this statement true.
  4. D. It is a weak deductive argument:
    • A weak deductive argument fails to provide conclusive proof or logically guaranteed conclusion. The argument in question, however, does not represent a deductive argument, as it relies on empirical evidence rather than logical certainty. Thus, this statement does not apply.

Conclusively, the correct answer that aligns with the evaluation is C only, since the argument demonstrates a strong inductive reasoning process.

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Similar Questions

  1. Given below are two statements:
    Statement I: The form of inductive argument is evaluated in degrees of likelihood or probability.
    Statement II: A strong inductive argument that has all the true premises, is called a “cogent” argument.
    In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

  2. Given below are two statements:
    Statement I: Inductive arguments can be invalid or valid.
    Statement II: A strong inductive argument that has all true premises is called a "cogent" argument.
    In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

  3. Which one among the following is a presupposition in inductive reasoning?

  4. Reasoning from a specific case to a general conclusion is known as:

  5. Identify the argument which involves a leap from the known to the unknown.

  6. Inductive reasoning is grounded on:

  7. If we want to seek new knowledge of facts about the world, we must rely on reason of the type:

  8. Given below are some characteristics of logical argument. Select the code which expresses a characteristic which is not of inductive in character.


Important Questions from Inductive

  1. Given below are two statements:
    Statement I: The form of inductive argument is evaluated in degrees of likelihood or probability.
    Statement II: A strong inductive argument that has all the true premises, is called a “cogent” argument.
    In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

  2. Given below are two statements:
    Statement I: Inductive arguments can be invalid or valid.
    Statement II: A strong inductive argument that has all true premises is called a "cogent" argument.
    In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

  3. Which one among the following is a presupposition in inductive reasoning?

  4. Reasoning from a specific case to a general conclusion is known as:

  5. Identify the argument which involves a leap from the known to the unknown.

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