Question

Choice following a strong argument or a weak argument?

question 1

One thousand coffee drinkers selected randomly from all walks of life, from all ages, and from spots all around the city, were interviewed, and 10 percent said they add sugar to their coffee. Therefore, probably 10 percent of the city’s coffee drinkers add sugar to their coffee. Does this inductive argument seem to be strong or weak?

My answer is Weak argument

question 2

Eight people at the Army recruiting center were interviewed, and all of them said they believe the war is justified. Therefore, probably everyone believes the war is justified. Does this inductive argument seem to be strong or weak?

My answer is Strong argument

Please help figure out whether the answer is correct or wrong. Thank you

Answer 1

I think your answer is incorrect.

The correct should be:

Question 1:

Answer-Strong argument.

Reason-This argument is providing a well defined reason-which is that in the survey 1000 people chosen randomly(from all walks of life) were asked the same question and probably this pattern might be true for 10% of the City’s coffee drinkers because the conclusion is definitely not biased.Hence a strong argument.

Question-2:

Answer-Weak argument.

Reason-This argument is not providing a well defined reason to support the answer. Here, the justification of War is being asked by only the people who are somehow related to this walk of life and not from any person in other profession - which might result into a biased conclusion.Hence it is a weak argument.