CRIT 111 - Module 1

Shane's vehicle is not a Hummer; therefore, it gets good gas mileage, because all vehicles except Hummers get good gas mileage.

1. All vehicles except Hummers get good gas mileage. 2. Shane's vehicle is not a Hummer. / ∴ Shane's vehicle gets good gas mileage

Chimpanzees are conscious. That's because chimpanzees make tools, and any animal that makes tools is conscious.

1. Any animal that makes tools is conscious. 2. Chimpanzees make tools. / ∴ Chimpanzees are conscious.

I am not a genius, because my I.Q. is 115, and anyone who has an I.Q. over 140 is a genius.

1. Anyone who has an I.Q. over 140 is a genius. 2. My I.Q. is 115. / ∴ I am not a genius.

Refurbished computers are not expensive, because every computer my uncle buys is refurbished, and every computer he buys is inexpensive.

1. Every computer my uncle buys is refurbished. 2. Every computer my uncle buys is inexpensive. / ∴ Refurbished computers are not expensive.

Everyone except those under 18 years of age is eligible to vote. My brother John is older than 18, so he can vote.

1. Everyone except those under 18 years of age is eligible to vote. 2. My brother John is older than 18. / ∴ My brother John is eligible to vote.

Drug tests shouldn't be used. Of course, if something is reliable, then it should be used. But, unfortunately, drug tests aren't reliable.

1. If something is reliable, then it should be used. 2. Drug tests aren't reliable / ∴ Drug tests should not be used

No religion can be taught in public schools. Since creationism is a religion, it cannot be taught in public schools.

1. No religion can be taught in public schools. 2. Creationism is a religion / ∴ Creationism cannot be taught in public schools.

Not all nuclear power plants are dangerous to humans. Haskerville NP is a nuclear power plant, so it's not dangerous.

1. Not all nuclear power plants are dangerous to humans. 2. Haskerville NP is a nuclear power plant / ∴ Haskerville NP is not dangerous

Whenever comets appear in the sky, the stock market falls. Today, there are no comets appearing in the sky; so today the stock market will rise.

1. Whenever comets appear in the sky, the stock market falls. 2. Today, there are no comets appearing in the sky. / ∴ Today, the stock market will rise.

Look, I hear that you're convinced that Ms. Scarlett killed Mr. Boddy. But listen to me. Whoever killed Mr. Boddy had a dagger. Col. Mustard has a dagger, so he killed Mr. Boddy.

1. Whoever killed Mr. Boddy had a dagger. 2. Col. Mustard has a dagger. / ∴ Col. Mustard killed Mr. Boddy.

Some jokers are amusing people. All amusing people are naturally profound. Therefore, all jokers are naturally profound.

All A are N

All humans are animals. All animals are mammals. So, all humans are mammals

All H are M

Consider the following argument "All Macs are computers. All computers are electronics. Therefore, all Macs are electronics." What is the logical form of this argument?

All M are C All C are E All M are E

No mavericks are trustworthy. No hustlers are trustworthy. Therefore, all mavericks are hustlers.

All M are H

Consider the following argument "All perceptions are experiential processes. No perceptions are intuitive. Therefore, no experiential processes are intuitive" What is the logical form of this argument?

All P are E No P are I No E are I

Consider the following argument "All realists are thinkers. All thinkers are skeptics. So, all realists are skeptics." What is the logical form of this argument?

All R are T All T are S All R are S

Consider the following argument "All shows are animations. Some shows are entertaining. So, some animations are entertaining." What is the logical form of this argument?

All S are A Some S are E Some A are E

All psychiatrists are people with medical degrees. All people who can prescribe drugs are people with medical degrees. Therefore, all psychiatrists are people who can prescribe drugs. The following substitutions create a counterexample: let P = cats, M = mammals, and D = dogs.

All dogs are mammals

No coal mines are dangerous areas to work. All dangerous areas to work are places inspected by federal agencies. Therefore, no coal mines are places inspected by federal agencies. The following substitutions create a counterexample: let C = cats, D = dogs, and I = mammals.

All dogs are mammals

All humans are things that contain carbon. All inanimate objects are things that contain carbon. Therefore, all humans are inanimate objects. The following substitutions create a counterexample: let H = cats, C = mammals, and I = dogs.

All dogs are mammals.

All computers are electronic devices. All things that require an AC adapter are electronic devices. Therefore, all computers are things that require an AC adapter. The following substitutions create a counterexample: let C = tigers, E = mammals, and A = lions.

All lions are mammals.

All strawberries are fruit. All strawberries are plants. It follows that all fruit are plants. The following substitutions create a counterexample: let S = puppies, F = mammals, and P = dogs

All puppies are dogs

All members of the U.S. Congress are citizens of the United States. All people under 21 years of age are citizens of the United States. Therefore, no people under 21 years of age are members of the U.S. Congress. The following substitutions create a counterexample: let M = dogs, C = mammals, and P = puppies.

All puppies are mammals.

Only those who have the numbers 4, 10, 14, 24, 27, and 36 have won this week's lottery. Given that I do not have those numbers, I did not win the lottery.

Argument: The premise indicator Given that appears at the start of the second sentence indicating the first half of the sentence as a premise (while the latter half of the sentence is the conclusion).

Our toaster ovens have the best energy efficiency rating on the market. We have a lot of loyal, repeat customers, who know that our brand is reliable. Moreover, there's an excellent special offer this month that would mean you'd get an electric kettle, too. So, you should really buy one of our toaster ovens!

Argument: The word So in the last sentence is a conclusion indicator.

Seb doesn't work at Starbucks, Café Nero, or Dunkin' Donuts. Thus, Seb probably doesn't like coffee.

Argument: The word Thus in the last sentence is a conclusion indicator.

Most philosophy majors score high on the LSAT. Therefore, most get into the law school of their choice, because many people who score high on the LSAT get into the law school of their choice.

Argument: Therefore in the second sentence is a conclusion indicator; likewise because in the second sentence is a premise indicator.

Searching for God is a futile endeavor, because He doesn't exist in space and time.

Argument: the word since is a premise indicator.

Traditional Western philosophy is a series of footnotes to Plato. However, since Asian philosophy is not part of traditional Western philosophy, we can conclude that Asian philosophy is not a series of footnotes to Plato.

Argument: we can conclude serves as a conclusion indicator.

Since television commercials disrupt the flow of programs, and given that any disruption impedes the continuity of a show, consequently we can safely say that commercials are a bad thing.

Premise: Television commercials disrupt the flow of programs Premise: Any disruption impedes the continuity of a show Conclusion: Commercials are a bad thing.

Since television commercials help pay the cost of programming, and because I can always turn off the sound of the commercials, go to the bathroom, or get something to eat or drink, it follows that commercials are not such a bad thing.

Premise: Television commercials help pay the cost of programming Premise: I can always turn off the sound of the commercials, go to the bathroom, or get something to eat or drink Conclusion: Commercials are not such a bad thing.

I believe that humans will evolve into androids. Because we will eventually be able to replace all organic body parts with artificial parts. In addition, we will be able to live virtually forever by simply replacing the parts when they wear out or become defective.

Premise: We will eventually be able to replace all organic body parts with artificial parts. Premise: We will be able to live virtually forever by simply replacing the parts when they wear out or become defective. Conclusion: Humans will evolve into androids.

All gymnasts are athletes. Some gymnasts are people with stamina. Some athletes are people with stamina.

Some A are P

Some patriots are American. No patriots are lazy. Therefore, some Americans are not lazy.

Some A are not L

Consider the following argument "Some farmers are in Nebraska. All farmers are hard workers. Therefore, some hard workers are in Nebraska." What is the logical form of this argument?

Some F are N All F are H Some H are N

Some fans are mechanical. Some fans are human. Therefore, some humans are mechanical

Some H are M

Some hypotheses are scientific theories; All scientific theories are tested; therefore, some hypotheses are tested

Some H are T

Consider the following argument "Some painters are not musicians. All painters are artists. So, some artists are not musicians." What is the logical form of this argument?

Some P are not M All P are A Some A are not M

Some superheroes are Avengers. All Avengers are morally good. So, some superheroes are morally good.

Some S are M

Some soldiers are not American. All Green Berets are Americans. Some soldiers are not Green Berets.

Some S are not G

No luddites are cell phone users. Some toddlers are not cell phone users. So, some toddlers are luddites. The following substitutions create a counterexample: let L = plants, C = wheeled objects, and T = chairs.

Some chairs are not wheeled objects.

All jobs are challenging. Some exams are challenging. So, some jobs are exams. The following substitutions create a counterexample: let J = foxes, C = things with legs, and E = tables.

Some tables are things with legs.

Given that a particular argument is sound, which of the following is true?

The premises must all be true, and the conclusion must be true.

I'm pretty sure Tessa is in Bridgewater because she texted that she was on campus at BSU.

[BSU campus is in Bridgewater]

Murdering someone is immoral and any act, individually or socially tantamount to murder should designated as legally impermissible, no matter what the case may be. The Bible tells us that murder is immoral, absolutely. Similarly, we have a moral and legal obligation to treat others the way we want to be treated and no one wants their life taken from them. Now, capital punishment is a social act tantamount to murder. My conclusion is clear...

[Capital punishment should be designated as legally impermissible]

I am talking to a human. All humans are mammals.

[Missing Conclusion: I am talking to a human]

I have a headache. I just took two aspirins and aspirins tend to relieve most headaches within a couple of hours.

[Missing Conclusion: My headache will likely be relieved within a couple of hours]

Sanja's laser printer can print twenty pages a minute in black and white. It can print ten pages a minute in color. Sanja just printed out his ten page report in one minute.

[Missing Conclusion: Sanja's ten-page report is in color]

Leana has a viral infection. She decided to take some penicillin she had in her medicine cabinet. But she wasn't aware that penicillin has no affect on viruses.

[Missing Conclusion: The penicillin Leana took will have no effect on her viral infection]

Kiera says she owns a Harley. So, she must own a motorcycle.

[Missing Premise: All Harleys are motorcycles]

I'm eating a banana. Therefore, I'm eating a fruit.

[Missing Premise: All bananas are fruit]

Don just had a big lasagna dinner. I know he is very happy now.

[Missing Premise: Having a big lasagna dinner makes Don happy]

Those who are experienced surgeons are skilled in biology and anatomy. Likewise, they demonstrate the necessary natural skills of patience, focus, and logical problem solving. Thus, my Aunt must be skilled in biology and anatomy and demonstrate patience, focus, and logical problem solving skills.

[Missing Premise: My Aunt is a surgeon]

an argument is defined as:

a collection of statements, one of which must be a conclusion and at least one of which must be a premise

a premise is:

a statement in an argument that provides support for the conclusion

an enthymeme is

an argument that contains an unstated premise(s) or conclusion

validity can be defined as

an argument where if you accept the premises, you must accept the conclusion

which of the following is not a conclusion indicator?

because

an argument that aims/ attempts to offer premises that make the conclusion necessary is

deductive argument

the following statement, "logic is the study of what works in persuasive argument," is:

false

which of the following is a premise indicator

given that

every argument

has both form and content

which of the following is not a premise indicator?

hence

An argument that aims/attempts to offer premises that make the conclusion probable is a/an:

inductive argument

An argument is valid if and only if:

it is impossible for all of the premises to be true and the conclusion false.

given that a particular argument is invalid, which of the following is true?

it is possible for all of the premises to be true and the conclusion false

an argument is sound so long as

it is valid and all of the propositions are true

the invalidity of an argument depends on

its form only

An argument is invalid insofar as

its premises fail to guarantee its conclusion

a deductive argument contains premises designed to support the conclusion with

necessity

an argument: may have more than one conclusion may have more than one premise May have at least two premises may have no more than two premises none of the above

none of the above

the content of an argument is

the actual statements that comprise the argument

the method which introduces a new argument with the same form as the original whose premises are in fact true but whose conclusion is false, is called

the counterexample method

The form of an argument is

the logical relationships that exist among and between the premises and the conclusion

the principle interpreting a speaker's argument in the most rational way possible is:

the principle of charity

logic is the branch of philosophy that studies:

the principles of good reasoning

logic

the study of good vs bad reasoning

which of the following is a conclusion indicator?

this implies that

the following statement "a deductive argument is valid or invalid," is

true

the following statement, "a premise is true or false but not both" is :

true

the following statement, "an argument is a set of statements, one of which is supported by the other(s)" is:

true

the following statement, "an argument is unsound if and only if it is invalid and/or has at least one false premise," is

true

the following statement, "an argument may have only one conclusion," is:

true

the following statement, "as an academic discipline, logic studies the criteria for good arguments," is:

true

the following statement, "the conclusion of an argument is the statement the argument is offered to established as being true," is:

true

Consider the following argument "No cows are horses. Some zebras are cows. Some zebras are not horses." What is the logical form of this argument?

No C are H Some Z are C Some Z are not H

All jets are planes. No planes are cars. So, no cars are jets

No C are J

All politicians are voters. No politicians are children. So, no children are voters. The following substitutions create a counterexample: let P = humans, V = mammals, and C = chickens.

No humans are chickens.

All blueprints are maps. No blueprints are artworks. So, no artworks are maps. The following substitutions create a counterexample: let B = squares, M = shapes, and A = circles.

No squares are circles.

Only those who have the numbers 4, 10, 14, 24, 27, and 36 have won this week's lottery. I bought a lottery ticket last week. I'll check the numbers when I get a chance.

Not an argument: This passage declaratively states the week's lottery numbers and recounts purchasing a ticket.

Russia and China have recently negotiated an economic alliance that means they no longer need to rely upon the US dollar as an intermediary currency. News agencies in both countries are reporting this, but the US media is largely focused upon the upcoming election. Many US citizens rely only upon national media outlets like CNN and Fox.

Not an argument: This passage is a descriptive set of statements regarding the Russian and Chinese economic alliance and the various media outlets covering (or not covering) the news.

There is biological evidence that the genetic characteristics for lactose intolerance have been selected over time by the species. In addition, the height and weight of humans has increased over the centuries.

Not an argument: This passage presents factual statements regarding biological evidence for genetic characteristics and evolution.

Hannah's birthday last year occurred during the lockdown. While we couldn't go out to celebrate, we celebrated indoors. We decorated our home with party streamers and balloons we had in the closet. We also baked a cake, gave presents, and called loved ones via zoom.

Not an argument: This passage recounts events surrounding Hannah's birthday last year.

All painters are artists. Some painters are Cubists. So, some artists are Cubists.

Premise: All painters are artists Premise: Some painters are Cubists Conclusion: Some artists are Cubists

At one time Gary Kasparov had the highest ranking of any chess grand master in history. However, he was beaten in a chess tournament by a computer program called Deep Blue. So the computer program should be given a ranking higher than Kasparov.

Premise: At one time Gary Kasparov had the highest ranking of any chess grand master in history. Premise: Gary Kasparov was beaten in a chess tournament by a computer program called Deep Blue. Conclusion: The computer program should be given a ranking higher than Kasparov.

Every college student is interested in finding their place in life. Every college student is anxious to impress their parents. So everyone interested in finding their place in life is anxious to impress their parents.

Premise: Every college student is interested in finding their place in life. Premise: Every college student is anxious to impress their parents. Conclusion: Everyone interested in finding their place in life is anxious to impress their parents.

I think, therefore I am.

Premise: I think Conclusion: I am

If Aaron was born in Boston, then he's a Bostonian. Aaron was born in Boston. Hence, he's a Bostonian.

Premise: If Aaron was born in Boston, then he's a Bostonian Premise: Aaron was born in Boston Conclusion: Aaron's a Bostonian

Only those who have the numbers 4, 10, 14, 24, 27, and 36 have won this week's lottery. I do not have those numbers, so I did not win the lottery.

Premise: Only those who have the numbers 4, 10, 14, 24, 27, and 36 have won this week's lottery. Premise: I do not have those numbers, Conclusion: I did not win the lottery.

President Biden is introducing two federal plans to help offset the damages caused by the pandemic. First, he's introducing a $1.9 trillion economic rescue package. Billed as the "America Rescue Plan", this plan is designed to help the country recover from the pandemic and economic crises. Second, the Biden administration plans to put forward an economic recovery plan to help create jobs to help rebuild the country. Given these newly implemented federal plans, I am hopeful that 2021 will be a better year.

Premise: President Biden is introducing two federal plans to help offset the damages caused by the pandemic. Premise: He's introducing a $1.9 trillion economic rescue package. Premise: Billed as the "America Rescue Plan", this plan is designed to help the country recover from the pandemic and economic crises. Premise: The Biden administration plans to put forward an economic recovery plan to help create jobs to help rebuild the country. Conclusion: I am hopeful that 2021 will be a better year.