Writing Assignment #5

In this assignment, you will write a short essay (minimum 2 full pages) that examines the manner in which the various inductive and deductive arguments are used in your academic major. Write at least one full paragraph in response to each of the 4 following questions (5 questions for Math and Computer Science majors). If you don’t know the answer to any of these questions, figure out the answer by doing some research online or talking to your departmental advisor. But state your answers in your own words, citing any sources that influenced what you are saying.

(1) Categorical Syllogisms are used to apply general rules to particular cases. What are the primary ways that your major gains knowledge about its subject matter by applying general rules in this way? Illustrate this with at least one example of a Categorical Syllogism. (Number each premise and conclusion, and start them each on a separate line.)

(2) Inductive Generalizations are used to form general, empirical principles from particular observations. What are the primary ways that your major gains knowledge about its subject matter by forming general principles in this manner? Illustrate this with at least one example of an Inductive Generalization.

(3) Analogical Arguments extend our knowledge about certain things by comparing them to other things that we know better. What are the primary ways that your major gains knowledge about its subject matter by making these types of comparisons? Illustrate this with at least one example of an Analogical Argument.

(4) Causal Arguments and Inferences to the Best Explanation are used to judge competing explanations (e.g., explanations of the cause of a physical event, the goal or motivation behind a person’s actions, the meaning of a statement, or the procedure one should follow to achieve a goal) in order determine which explanation is most appropriate. What are the primary types of explanations that your major uses to gain knowledge about its subject matter? (Indicate what species of explanation each is, i.e., causal, teleological, interpretive, or procedural.) And what are the main ways that your major judges competing explanations? Illustrate this with at least one example of a Causal Argument or an Inference to the Best Explanation.

Math and computer science majors only: (5) How does your major use propositional arguments to gain knowledge about its subject matter? Illustrate this with at least one example of a Propositional Argument.

Sources and Citations: Cite all print and electronic sources that influenced your work in a bibliography at the end of your paper, using any standard citation method that includes all of the relevant information (including exact page numbers if it is a printed source and the specific URL and an exact date if it is a webpage). If you present other people’s work as your own, you are engaging in Plagiarism.

Grammar and Spelling: Make sure that your papers are clearly written – i.e., that the meaning is clear enough that any other student would be able to understand it. Papers will be downgraded for spelling, grammatical, and stylistic errors if there are more than 2 per page.

Format: 12 point type, double-spaced, 1-1.5 inch margins, minimum 2 full pages of content. Number and staple pages.