Rylee Russell

 There are two tests for deductive reasoning

 1 st test applies to the generalization.  THIS MUST BE TRUE  If not, then it cannot be applied to the specific case

 Generalization: someone with small, beady eyes can’t be trusted.  This generalization is not based on any factual support  So judging a person’s trustworthiness on the basis of eye size is not valid

 Bill: "You know, those feminists all hate men." Joe: "Really?" Bill: "Yeah. I was in my philosophy class the other day and that Rachel chick gave a presentation." Joe: "Which Rachel?" Bill: "You know her. She's the one that runs that feminist group over at the Women's Center. She said that men are all sexist pigs. I asked her why she believed this and she said that her last few boyfriends were real sexist pigs. " Joe: "That doesn't sound like a good reason to believe that all of us are pigs." Bill: "That was what I said." Joe: "What did she say?" Bill: "She said that she had seen enough of men to know we are all pigs. She obviously hates all men." Joe: "So you think all feminists are like her?" Bill: "Sure. They all hate men."

 2 nd test is whether the generalization applies to the particular case  Is the particular case you’re concerned with similar in all respects to other cases that the generalization applies to?

 Scenario: a politician argues that an opposing candidate (Democrat) will raise taxes because all Democrats believe in “tax and spend”  If politician shows that other Democrats did increase taxed, it’s logical to assume that the candidate will also.  Exception: the Democratic candidate has a record of voting against tax increases and was conservative on budget matter  Generalization does not apply in this instance

 The profit margin on HP's printer line has been a steady 25% for two years.  We can assume, then, that the profits company-wide have also been 25%.

 Must know and remember that there are exceptions to every rule  Must know if you’re dealing with an exception or not

 The 1 st test applies to what?  generalizations  If test is not true, then it cannot be applied to what?  A specific case  What is the 2 nd test?  Whether the generalization applies to the particular case or not