Question

In what way is an inductive argument weaker than a deductive argument?

Answer 1

An inductive argument is weaker than a deductive argument because in a deductive argument if the premises are true, the conclusion is definitely true. However, in an inductive argument, the conclusion is only probably true and can be a hasty generalization.

For example:

A deductive argument:

Premise 1: All humans have hair

Premise 2: Sara is a human

Conclusion: Sara has hair.

This argument the conclusion is true without having a low or 50% probability

Inductive argument:

Premise1: Ron is Irish

Premise 2: Most Irish's eat chicken

Conclusion: Ron eats chicken

This is an inductive argument where the conclusion can still be false as it generalizes all Irish people and concludes that Ron eats chicken which is probably true or false but not certain. The above example is why an inductive argument is weaker than a deductive argument.