Between One And All

In this section, the book recognizes the difference between two types of generalities: precise generalities and vague generalities. Both are used in arguments to identify a population, yet one is more accurate than the other. Precise generalities are more likely to be valid than vague generalities, as numbers or percentages can be given in an argument to strengthen the premises. This presence of numbers makes the argument connected to an actual number, unlike vague generalities, which do not specify an amount. An example of a precise argument could be "84% of students who take online courses like the online courses. Wally is taking an online course. Therefore, Wally likes taking the online class."

Vague generalities include methods I wrote about in my last post. Words like "all," "most,""some," and "few" are used to portray an argument, however they are vague in identifying exactly what the argument is saying. Since these words are not connected to actual amounts, it is harder for an argument with vague generalities to be valid. For example, "most people who take online classes like them better than regular classes." Since there is no number connected to it, the argument is vague, and less likely to be fully accurate.