Modus ponens (Deductive argument)

Form: -
If a then b
A
Therefore, B

1. Andy told me that he ate at Maxine's Restaurant yesterday. But Maxine's was completely
destroyed by fire less than a month ago. It is certain, therefore, that Andy is either lying or
mistaken.

2. Deductive – valid/ invalid

3. Inductive – strong/ weak

4. Common pattern test

5. Charity test –

a) charitable towards arguer.

b) A doubtful argument in the way most favourable to the arguer

c) To be interpreted as inductive argument as deductive argument make them “bad

argument”

d) When attribute a weaker argument when the evidence reasonably permits us to

attribute to him/her stronger one

e) When interpreting a unclear argument, always give the speaker a benefit of doubt.

f) Exceptions: -

i. language or context makes clear that the arguer intended to offer a logically
conclusive argument, but the argument, in fact, is not logically conclusive

ii. the argument has a pattern of reasoning that is characteristically deductive, and
nothing else about the argument indicates clearly that the argument is meant to
be inductive.
1. Hypothetical syllogism :-
2.