The arctic ice cap has been shrinking for several years as a result of global warming, and that trend is expected to continue. Therefore, since arctic polar bears depend on that ice for survival, the arctic polar bear population will shrink in the years ahead.
A) Inductive, weak.
B) Deductive, invalid.
C) Inductive, strong.
D) Deductive, valid.
E) Inductive, uncogent.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The argument is inductive because it is based on observations and generalizations. The argument is strong because there is a clear causal relationship between the shrinking ice cap, the polar bear's survival, and the population of polar bears. However, the argument is not deductive or valid because the conclusion is not necessarily true in every case. There could be other factors that affect the polar bear population, such as hunting or disease. Therefore, the argument is not deductive or valid, and it is not uncogent either because it is a strong inductive argument.

The Arctic Ice Cap Has Been Shrinking for Several Years