In order to know if an argument is deductive or inductive, out of the four given tests which one applies to the following example: 'Alan is a father. Therefore, Alan is a male'?
AThe indicator word test
BThe strict necessity test ✓ Correct
CThe common pattern test
DThe principle of charity test
Correct answer: (B) The strict necessity test
Explanation
The strict necessity test applies to this example.
'Alan is a father, therefore Alan is male' has a conclusion that follows of necessity.
Being a father cannot possibly be true while being male is false.
When the conclusion must be true if the premise is, the argument is deductive.
This necessary connection is exactly what the strict necessity test detects.
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