Final answer:
Deductive reasoning involves drawing a specific conclusion from a general premise, while inductive reasoning involves drawing a general conclusion from specific instances. An example of deductive reasoning could be a logical conclusion that sparrows lay eggs based on the premise that all birds do so. An example of inductive reasoning is the generalization that all swans are white based on multiple observations of only white swans.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Deduction and Induction. The question involves evaluating the meaning of deduction and induction, which are two forms of logical reasoning. Deductive reasoning is a method of logical inference where the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises. It moves from a general statement or hypothesis to a more specific conclusion. An example of deductive reasoning is: If all mammals have a backbone (general premise), and dolphins are mammals (specific premise), then dolphins have a backbone (specific conclusion).
Inductive reasoning, on the other hand, involves drawing a general conclusion from specific observations or instances. It is probabilistic, meaning that the conclusion is likely but not guaranteed. An example of inductive reasoning is: Observing that the sun has risen every morning (specific observations), one can conclude that the sun will rise tomorrow (general conclusion).
Examples of Deductive and Inductive Arguments
Here's an example of a deductive argument: All birds lay eggs. A sparrow is a bird. Therefore, a sparrow lays eggs. This argument follows the structure of a deductive inference, where the conclusion logically follows from the premises if they are assumed to be true.
An example of an inductive argument might be: I have seen hundreds of swans, and all of them have been white. Therefore, all swans are white. This is an inductive generalization based on specific instances, which could potentially be falsified by the observation of a non-white swan.