1. Chapter Two, Part Two
BOC and IBE Reasoning

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BOC REASONING
Coming to decisions often involves weighing considerations both pro and con.
Should I get a dog?
There are reasons for doing so, and reasons against doing so.
I must weigh them.
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Weighing considerations often involves both deductive and inductive reasoning.
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4. Valid deductive argument!
I shouldn’t get a dog because my landlord won’t allow it in the house and you shouldn’t get a dog if you can’t let it into the house.
Valid deductive argument!
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My landlord won’t allow a dog in the house because it says in the lease I am not permitted to have a dog.
Inductive argument: conclusion is supported by premise but not proved, because landlord might make an exception.
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“Balance of Considerations” reasoning often involves both deductive and inductive reasoning.
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IBE REASONING
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Many inductive arguments involve an Inference to the Best Explanation (IBE).
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Why is there a hole in the garden? The best explanation is that the dog dug it. Therefore the hole probably was due to the dog’s digging it.
Why did I bomb the midterm? The best explanation is that I didn’t study hard enough. Therefore my bombing the midterm was probably due to my not studying hard enough.
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10. An IBE supports a conclusion, but does not prove it.
IBEs are inductive, not deductive.
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