LOGIC. WHAT ARE DEDUCTIVE AND INDUCTIVE ARGUMENTS? PART 1.

You Have Probably Heard These Terms Used Many Times.

Perhaps it was the Classroom, Job Site, or even Television/Movies.

However, were they used Correctly?  

To Introduce this Section, Let's Start with a Couple of Examples.

In a Valid Deductive Argument, if the Premises are True,

THE CONCLUSION MUST BE TRUE.

Here is an Example of a Valid Deductive Argument;

All Politicians are Deceitful People.

All Deceitful People can't be Trusted.

Therefore, All Politicians can't Be Trusted.

Now a Valid Inductive Argument;

Most Politicians Never Tell the Truth.

Our Congressman Promises to Not Raise Taxes.

Therefore, Our Congressman will Probably Raise Taxes.

An Inductive Argument Points to the Probability of the 

Conclusion Being True, but it is not a Certainty.

IN THE NEXT POST ON THIS TOPIC, WE'LL EXAMINE SUCH

TERMS AS VALID/INVALID, WHICH INDICATE IF THE ARGUMENT 

IS LAID OUT, OR CONSTRUCTED CORRECTLY.  THAT, AND WHY 

EXAMINING THE TRUTH OF THE PREMISES IS THE KEY TO 

EVALUATING THE STRENGTH OR WEAKNESS OF EACH ARGUMENT.

Date-  7/8/2015.

LOGIC. THE FALLACY OF PROVING A NEGATIVE. PT 2.

Basically,  THE FALLACY OF PROVING A NEGATIVE IS THE RESULT OF THOSE WHO FAIL TO UNDERSTAND THAT PROPER REASONING SKILLS ARE NOT MEANT TO BE USED ONLY WHEN IT IS CONVENIENT, AND BACK UP THE ARGUMENT YOU ARE TRYING TO MAKE.

THEY MUST BE USED CONSISTENTLY, AND IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.

However, Many of those who find Themselves on the Losing End of a Debate, Discussion, or Argument, Resort to the Following:

When the Rules of LOGIC, THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD AND CRITICAL THINKING NO LONGER WORK IN YOUR FAVOR, AND THE OPPOSITION HAS MADE YOUR OPINION, CONCLUSION OR JUDGMENT INTO AN IRRATIONAL OR UNREASONABLE POSITION TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT, YOU ABANDON THEM, AND SOMETIMES THE RESULT IS SOMETHING LIKE THIS:

"MAYBE I CAN'T SHOW OR PROVE THAT MY CONCLUSION IS TRUE, OR EVEN REALISTIC, BUT YOU CAN'T PROVE IT'S IMPOSSIBLE. THERE COULD BE EVIDENCE AND CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT, WHICH WOULD PROVE THAT WHAT I AM ASSERTING IS TRUE."

HOWEVER, YOU CANNOT PICK AND CHOOSE WHICH ELEMENTS OF THE MENTAL PROCESS THAT LEADS TO, AND ARE ESSENTIAL FOR, THE ABILITY TO USE AND UNDERSTAND VALID REASONING SKILLS.  IT IS AN ALL OR NOTHING PROPOSITION.

(These do not Include Arguments of Faith, Which by Their Very Nature, are Purely Subjective. These Beliefs are not Required to Meet the Standards of Proper Reasoning and Analysis, Unless They are being Used to Explain Events Occurring in the Physical or Natural World.)

LOGIC. THE FALLACY OF PROVING A NEGATIVE. PT 1.

This FALLACY Takes Different Forms, and can be Referred to by 

Several Different Names.

However, the Basic Flaw that is at the Core of the Fallacy Remains 

the Same.  It may be the Most Common Type of Reasoning Error 

that most people will ever come across, and the Hint of Desperation

that it gives off when used is Almost Immediately Apparent.

To Illustrate, here is an Example that My 

Readers may have Encountered;

Two Friends are having Coffee, and Discussing last 

Nights TV PROGRAMMING:

PERSON #1-  "Did you see that show on last night 

about UFOs possibly being Piloted by Alien Beings 

from another Solar System?  It was Incredible, because

at the end of the Show, Those who believe that it's True

couldn't produce One Single Piece of Solid and Testable

Evidence that could be Properly Evaluated.  They Rely on 

Anecdotal Testimony and Legends, that don't do anything

to Add Credibility to Their Opinions on the Subject."

PERSON #2-  "So What?  I Saw the same show, and the 

Opposing Side Couldn't Prove that Aliens weren't visiting the 

Earth.  Everyone knows that Worlds Leaders are covering up

such information, so that regular people won't Panic."

PERSON #1-  "If that's True, how come Those who believe in 

such a Cover- Up, don't Provide the Rest of us with Evidence 

that it is Occurring Now, and In the past."

PERSON #2-  "Isn't it Obvious?  All Such Evidence is Destroyed

Immediately, so that the Rest of Us cannot find out about the Truth."

JUST WHAT CAN WE TAKE FROM SUCH A CONVERSATION, AND

WHAT DOES IT TELL US ABOUT BOTH SIDES OF THE ARGUMENT?

LOOK FOR PART 2.

WORTHWHILE OR WORTHLESS- A CONSUMER GUIDE TO AVOIDING SCAMS AND SCOUNDRELS. GOING ON A DIET? YOU CAN LOSE MORE THAN JUST WEIGHT. PT 5.

Joining a Gym or a Health Club may be the right thing for you, but remember;

-  They are there for a reason, and the Members are also there for a reason.  Don't 

join one as an opportunity for socializing, and filling up your social calendar.

-  Depending on the time of day you work out, be prepared to share or, "WORK IN", to Exercise Apparatus/Machines.  If time is limited, you may want to schedule your visits to Off-Hours, when there are fewer members utilizing the facilities.

Also, make sure you have a Clean and Dry Towel at the start of your workout.  No one wants to Sit on, Lie on, or Handle anything covered in your sweat.  

-  Under no Circumstances, sign a long term contract.  A change of Job, or moving to a different city, may leave you with a membership that is essentially valueless.

Forget the "ONCE IN A LIFETIME OFFER."  That is nothing but hot air.  The competition is so great to attract new members, you can find a membership to suit your needs just about anywhere.

In addition, if you are not familiar with the dynamics of a Physical Fitness Center or Gym, you may become uncomfortable working out around others. This means you may end up paying Fees or Dues, to a business you no longer use.  

One more thing, the Trainer talking to you about the special membership, or offering one on one work out sessions, bases much of their income on commissions that are earned by getting you to sign on the dotted line. There is nothing inherently immoral or illegal about this, just be aware of what your getting yourself into.

HOWEVER, BE VERY CAREFUL IF OFFERED SPECIAL "SUPPLEMENTS" FOR SALE AT A DISCOUNT PRICE.  There is a lucrative Black Market for these items, and just because someone is employed at a Gym, doesn't make them qualified to give you Health Advice.

LOOK FOR PT 6.

Date-  11/10/2014.