A.
P1: With no other options available, torture can be used as a last resort to extract time sensitive information and save lives.
P2: The torture of Khalid Shaykh Muhammad led to information that saved thousands of American lives.
Conclusion: The use of torture is permissible.
Reflect: Create a new and improved version of the above argument. Make sure that all of the premises are true and that the reasoning is inductively strong. Consider how someone with the opposite point of view might criticize your argument and see if you can improve it to avoid those objections.
Write: Present the argument in standard form and explain any weaknesses that might remain. A weakness could mean a premise that many might disagree with or questions about the strength of the inference. Indicate briefly how you might address those weaknesses to strengthen your argument further. What further information might strengthen your argument the most?
B.
Find an inductive argument that occurs in some online source (make sure to cite the source) or think of one that you have heard used in your life. Consider its strength and how it might be strengthened or weakened in light of further information.
Write:
1. Present an example of inductive reasoning.
2. Comment on the strength of the inference.
3. State a premise that could be added that, if true, would strengthen the inference.
4. Now list another premise that could be added that would weaken it again.
5. Now add another premise that could be added to strengthen it yet again.