PHIL 347 Critical Reasoning
Week 4 Guided Learning Activity: Inductive Reasoning and Causal Evaluation Directions:
Type the letter answer into Canvas. You may also include the whole line. The letter comes
before the line or sentence
Example:
[A] Paris is the biggest city in France. [B] It is a major cultural center with many famous
museums. [C] The most famous of these museums is the Louvre.
In this passage, A = Paris is the biggest city in France. B = It is a major cultural center with many
famous museums. C = The most famous of these museums is the Louvre.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________
Section 1: Forming Inductive Generalizations and Statistical Arguments. One of the
hallmarks of critical thinking is making inductive generalizations. We can’t help but do them,
so we might as well learn how to do them best. Read pages 299-301 to help with that.
Passage 1:
[A] Only three students in the science club attended the weekend workshop. So, it must be that the
whole school skipped the event.
[B] Only three students in the science club attended the weekend workshop. So, participation may have
been limited for scheduling reasons.
Question 1: Which is the better generalization?
a A
b. B
Passage 2:
[A] Several neighbors planted vegetable gardens this spring. So, gardening appears to be gaining
popularity in the neighborhood.
[B] Several neighbors planted vegetable gardens this spring. So, everyone in the city must be growing
food at home.
Question 2: Which is the better generalization?
a. A
b. B
Passage 3:
[A] A few musicians at the community center performed at a charity event. So, the center likely supports
local volunteer efforts.
[B] A few musicians at the community center performed at a charity event. So, all performers in the
region must regularly volunteer.
Question 3: Which is the better generalization?
a. A
b. B
Passage 4:
[A] Many of the books featured in the school library’s display are graphic novels. So, the library may be
trying to appeal to visual readers.
[B] Many of the books featured in the school library’s display are graphic novels. So, graphic novels must
make up nearly all literature today.
Question 4: Which is the better generalization?
a. A
b. B
Passage 5:
[A] A handful of local restaurants have added plant-based options. So, there might be rising interest in
alternative diets.
[B] A handful of local restaurants have added plant-based options. So, the entire restaurant industry
must be eliminating traditional menus.
Question 5: Which is the better generalization?
a. A
b. B
Section 2: Evaluating Inductive Generalizations. Generalizations are fraught with
difficulties. While it’s essential and unavoidable that we do them, there are better and worse
ways. We don’t want to jump to conclusions. Read pages 301-5 for some help on how to
evaluate inductive arguments.
Passage 1: Streaming
[A] Experts suggest that the rise in streaming is largely due to convenience, on-demand access, and the
availability of diverse content. [B] A recent report shows that the average number of hours people
spend watching streaming video per week has increased by 30% over the past three years, particularly
among adults aged 18–29. [C] As a result, many streaming platforms have invested heavily in original
programming to attract and retain viewers. [D] Further studies are necessary to determine which factors
most strongly influence the growth in streaming viewership. [E] After all, another possible explanation is
that people are watching more streaming content because traditional cable packages have become
more expensive.
Question 6: Which line presents an inductive generalization?
a. A
b. B
c. C
d. D
e. E
Question 7: Which line describes the majority view of the cause of the inductive
generalization?
a. A
b. B
c. C
d. D
e. E
Question 8: Which line describes an action based on the generalization?
a. A
b. B
c. C
d. D
e. E
Question 9: Which line calls for further research before drawing firm conclusions?
a. A
b. B
c. C
d. D
e. E
Question 10: Which line introduces an alternative explanation that challenges the cause of
the generalization?
a. A
b. B
c. C
d. D
e. E
Section 3: Forming Causal Arguments: Causation is essential to medicine. You’re sick, and
you want to know what caused it. There are rules and guidelines to making good causal
arguments. Reading pages 309-315 will get you started. Also watch these videos:
Using Correlation to Determine Causation (found in the current week 4 workbook)
And
Causal Arguments (also found in the current week 4 workbook)
Passage 3: Park Usage
[A] In the past ten years, several cities have reported an increase in community garden participation and
park usage. [B] City councils in several metropolitan areas have begun funding new parks and
community gardens to promote wellness. [C] This follows from some urban planners who argue that the
expansion of green spaces has directly improved residents’ mental health and social engagement. [D]
However, others suggest that economic growth and rising neighborhood incomes might also contribute
to higher park usage.
[E] Public health researchers emphasize that long-term studies are needed to determine the main
drivers behind these trends.
Question 11: Which line describes an observation?
a. A
b. B
c. C
d. D
e. E
Question 12: Which line contains the causal conclusion?
a. A
b. B
c. C
d. D
e. E
Question 13: Which line introduces an alternative explanation?
a. A
b. B
c. C
d. D
e. E
Question 14: Which line describes an action based on the original explanation?
a. A
b. B
c. C
d. D
e. E
Question 15: Which line calls for further research before drawing firm conclusions?
a. A
b. B
c. C
d. D
e. E
Section 4: Forming Analogical Arguments. We make analogies all the time. When we
compare like to like, we are doing critical thinking even if we don’t realize that’s what we are
doing. For more on how to make good analogical arguments please read pages 309-315. Also,
watch the following video:
Analogical Arguments (from section 5 of the current workbook)
Passage 4: Writing and Building
[A] Writing an essay is like constructing a building. [B] Missing steps in outlining or planning—like
skipping foundational work in construction—can result in a weak or unstable structure. [C] Whereas
builders rely on concrete and beams, writers rely on research and careful argumentation. [D] Just as
neglecting a foundation can make a building collapse, skipping research can make an essay fall apart. [E]
This comparison encourages students to recognize that careful planning and consistent effort create
stronger results.
Question 16: Which line contains the primary analogy?
a. A
b. B
c. C
d. D
e. E
Question 17: Which line describes a shared characteristic of the two items in the analogy?
a. A
b. B
c. C
d. D
e. E
Question 18: Which line explores shared consequences?
a. A
b. B
c. C
d. D
e. E
Question 19: What weakens the analogy in this passage?
a. A
b. B
c. C
d. D
e. E
Question 20: Which line provides a motivational takeaway from the analogy?
a. A
b. B
c. C
d. D
e. E
