The various inductive argument forms are mutually exclusive. A general statement makes a claim about every object in a set. To draw a conclusion from eyewitness testimony is to make an argument from authority. It is not always possible to determine whether an argument is deductive or inductive. If everyone agrees with a conclusion of an argument, then the argument is deductive. A syllogism must have one premise and two conclusions. Because a witness in a court case must take an oath before offering testimony, this example of argument from authority is deductive. Inductive arguments make use of necessary reasoning. A generalization always involves a sample of members from a larger group. In an inductive argument, the conclusion does not have to follow by strict necessity. Sometimes deductive indicators are inappropriately used by an arguer to make his or her conclusion seem to follow more strongly than it really does. A generalization applies a general principle to a specific instance. The Aristotelian view of induction is that it proceeds from the particular to the general. Pure mathematics is an example of inductive reasoning. A generalization is an inductive argument form.

An 8-year-old boy named “george” was diagnosed with a rare constellation of five auto-immunediseases; two of these diseases were terminal and could take his life. at the time of diagnosis, thediseases were very aggressive; he faced the possibility of being completely bed-ridden in the next couple of months and facing death within five months. however, george received aggressive treatments and experienced the support of a loving family. after two years of treatments, george began to be angry about his condition. one night, his older brother was goingto bed and he saw his younger brother on the floor. he nudged him and asked, “what are you doing? ” george responded that he was praying because he did not want to be angry at god. he then asked his older brother, “why did god allow these diseases to happen to me? ” the older brother then said, “let’s go and talk to mom and dad.” george approached his parents and posedthis question: “why did god give me all of these diseases? ”the mom and dad come to you and ask, "what should we share with our son? " consider the following questions as you complete your thread: what are the doctrinal issues to consider in this situation? how would these doctrines aid you in sharing with the parents? if the parents requested that you counsel their son, what information would you counsel george?