Phil exam 1

Choose which argument form correctly models the given argument, and which substitutions create a counterexample that shows the argument is invalid: All movie stars are millionaires. All movie stars are famous people. So, all millionaires are famous people.

All S are F. All S are P. So, all F are P. Let S = puppies, F = mammals, and P = dogs. All puppies are mammals, all puppies are dogs. so all mammals are dogs

Identify the conclusion in the following argument: Since all cats are mammals and all mammals are animals, we can infer that all cats are animals.

All cats are animals. (The phrase "we can infer that" is a conclusion indicator, so the final statement is the conclusion for which the other statements offer support.)

Choose which substitutions create a counterexample that shows the argument is invalid: Beatrice is taller than four feet. Jacob is taller than four feet six inches. Thus, Jacob is taller than Beatrice.

Beatrice is six feet two inches tall. Jacob is six feet one inch tall. Thus, Jacob is taller than Beatrice.

Determine whether the following argument is best classified as deductive or inductive: If you study hard, you'll pass the test. If you pass the test, you'll graduate. Therefore, if you study hard, you'll graduate.

Deductive If both premises are assumed to be true, then the conclusion is necessarily true.

Determine whether the following passage contains an argument or an explanation: It rains so much in Seattle because the city is trapped between the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountains.

Explanation The sentence does not contain premises or conclusions. The 2nd part of the sentence offers an explanation for the first part, which is an established fact.

Identify the conclusion in the following argument: Socrates did not write anything. Most of what we know about Socrates comes from the writings of Plato. In addition, Plato had his own ideas which must have evolved over his lifetime of writing. Thus, it is difficult to know exactly what Socrates said on a given topic.

It is difficult to know exactly what Socrates said on a given topic.

Choose which argument form correctly models the given argument, and which substitutions create a counterexample that shows the argument is invalid: No television commercials are major human endeavors. Some television specials are not major human endeavors. So, some television specials are not television commercials.

No A are B. Some C are not B. So, some C are not A. Let A = animals, B = rocks, and C = cats. No animals are rocks. Some cats are not rocks. So come cats are not animals.

Choose which argument form correctly models the given argument, and which substitutions create a counterexample that shows the argument is invalid: No aardvarks are vegetarians. Some predators are not vegetarians. Therefore, some predators are aardvarks.

No A are V. Some P are not V. So some P are A. Let A = cars, V = cats, P = mammals. No cars are cats. Some mammals are not cats So come mammals are cars

Does the following passage contain an argument? Individuals and societies need to reflect on the past in order to avoid mistakes. They also need to learn what has worked and why. When we study the past we have an ongoing dialogue with the ideas that have been tested through time's laboratory.

No Argument (There are several related statements, but no conclusion seems to exist)

Choose which argument form correctly models the given argument, and which substitutions create a counterexample that shows the argument is invalid: No basketballs are cardboard spheres. Some disks are cardboard spheres. So, no disks are basketballs.

No B are C. Some D are C. So, no D are B. Let B = beagles, C = collies, and D = dogs. No beagles are collies. Some dogs are collies . So no dogs are collies

Identify the conclusion in the following argument: We have to bring the baby to the phone store. After all, our oldest child, who has the most knowledge about cell phones, needs to be with us. Plus, we can't leave the baby at home with his young siblings. And both of us have to be there to agree on the new phone and the service plan.

We have to bring the baby to the phone store. (last three sentences offer reasons why the baby has to be taken to the phone store.)

Identify the conclusion in the following argument: In many instances, big oil interests in the Middle East have influenced our government's decisions to go to war. The voters of this country feel like they have little say in making public policy. Not voting does not help, so we need a large groundswell of activists who can fight big oil interests.

We need a large groundswell of activists who can fight big oil interests. ("So" indicates the conclusion is coming right after)

Choose which argument form correctly models the following argument, and which substitutions create a counterexample that shows the argument is invalid: All smokers are people who put their health at risk. All smokers are people who lack self-control. Therefore, all people who put their health at risk are people who lack self-control.

All A are B. All A are C. So, all B are C. Let A=Collies, B=Animals, C=Dogs. All collies are animals, all collies are dogs. So all animals are dogs

Does the following passage contain an argument? Every argument needs premises and a conclusion. Your speech has many interesting ideas, but you don't have a conclusion. "Therefore", your speech does not contain an argument.

Argument ("Therefore" indicates the conclusion of the passage.)

Does the following passage contain an argument? If Abraham Lincoln was born in 1970, then Abraham Lincoln was born after Barrack Obama. Abraham Lincoln was not born after Barrack Obama. Consequently, Abraham Lincoln was not born in 1970.

Argument ("consequently" identifies the conclusion of the argument.)

Does the following passage contain an argument? I have seen him eating beef hot dogs and pepperoni pizza. It follows that he is not a vegetarian.

Argument ("it follows that" identifies the conclusion.)

Does the following passage contain an argument? Mr. Taylor has to be the most difficult teacher on campus. Therefore, I will not be taking his organic chemistry class.

Argument ("therefore")

Identify the conclusion in the following argument: The consensus among scientists is that global warming is a fact. Evidence from a variety of sciences all support the idea. Although there are some scientists who disagree with the idea, the vast majority of scientists all agree that it is a serious problem. Therefore, every country should do all it can within its means to combat the problem.

Every country should do all it can within its means to combat the problem.

Does the following passage contain an argument? Don't take classes with Mr. Taylor. You'd be crazy to want him for a teacher.

NO argument (The passage offers advice, but no reasons for following this advice.)

Identify the conclusion in the following argument: We should drop the term "artificial" in "artificial intelligence." After all, a computer program beat several champions on the game show Jeopardy. Another computer program defeated a chess grand master. And many computer programs can solve mathematical problems far quicker than any human.

We should drop the term "artificial" in "artificial intelligence."

Identify the conclusion in the following argument: The men under the explosion were actually in a relatively safe position. This follows from the fact that the bomb had a small nuclear yield, and it was 1000 feet above them. They weren't directly in the path of the radiation. Also, the radioactive material would start to diffuse rather quickly.

The men under the explosion were actually in a relatively safe position. (The phrase "this follows from the fact" that is a premise indicator. The last three sentences all serve to support the conclusion, the first statement.

Determine whether the following passage contains an argument or an explanation: Smartphones are popular because they have been marketed wisely.

Explanation (In this context, the word because indicates an explanation for why Smartphones are popular.)

Choose which argument form correctly models the given argument, and which substitutions create a counterexample that shows the argument is invalid: All victories are short-lived accomplishments. All victories are psychologically addicting actions. It follows that all short-lived accomplishments are psychologically addicting actions.

All A are B. All A are C. So, all B are C. Let A = puppies, B = mammals, and C = dogs. All puppies are mammals. All puppies are dogs. SO all mammals are dogs

Choose which argument form correctly models the following argument, and which substitutions create a counterexample that shows the argument is invalid: All smokers are people who put their health at risk. All smokers are people who lack self-control. Therefore, all people who put their health at risk are people who lack self-control.

All A are B. All A are C. So, all B are C. Let A=Collies, B=Animals, C=Dogs.

Choose which argument form correctly models the given argument, and which substitutions create a counterexample that shows the argument is invalid: All teachers are dedicated people. All teachers are educators. So, all educators are dedicated people.

All A are B. All A are C. So, all C are B. Let A = girls, B = females, and C = mammals.

Choose which argument form correctly models the given argument, and which substitutions create a counterexample that shows the argument is invalid: All traffic citations are misdemeanors. All parking tickets are misdemeanors. Therefore, all traffic citations are parking tickets.

All A are B. All C are B. So, all A are C. Let A = cats, B = animals, and C = dog

Choose which argument form correctly models the given argument, and which substitutions create a counterexample that shows the argument is invalid: All hockey players are good ice skaters. Some hockey players are not Canadian citizens. So, some Canadian citizens are not good ice skaters.

All A are B. All C are B. So, all A are C. Let A = cats, B = animals, and C = dogs. all cats are animals. All dogs are animals. So all cats are dogs

Choose which argument form correctly models the given argument, and which substitutions create a counterexample that shows the argument is invalid: All sales items are returnable items. No items over $100 are sales items. Therefore, no items over $100 are returnable items.

All A are B. No C are A. So, no C are B. Let A = cats, B = animals, and C = dogs. All cats are animals. No dogs are cats. So no dogs are animals

Choose which argument form correctly models the given argument, and which substitutions create a counterexample that shows the argument is invalid: All people who have library cards are great readers. No lazy readers are people who have library cards. Therefore, no lazy readers are great readers.

All A are B. No C are A. So, no C are B. Let A = fish, B = animals, and C = dogs.

Choose which argument form correctly models the given argument, and which substitutions create a counterexample that shows the argument is invalid: All missiles are heat-seeking weapons. Some heat-seeking weapons are unstable devices. So, some unstable devices are missiles.

All A are B. Some B are C. So, some C are A. Let A = cats, B = mammals, and C = rodents.

Choose which argument form correctly models the given argument, and which substitutions create a counterexample that shows the argument is invalid: All frightened people are people who need help. Some people with phobias are people who need help. So, some people with phobias are frightened people.

All A are B. Some C are B. So, some C are A. Let A = dogs, B = animals, and C = cats.

Choose which argument form correctly models the given argument, and which substitutions create a counterexample that shows the argument is invalid: All movie stars are millionaires. All movie stars are famous people. So, all millionaires are famous people.

All S are F. All S are P. So, all F are P. Let S = puppies, F = mammals, and P = dogs.

Does the following passage contain an argument? You cannot afford a new car. First, you only work part-time. Second, you don't have any money saved. Third, the price of gasoline, car payments, maintenance, and insurance will be too costly for you each month.

Argument (Although there are no conclusion indicator words, the first statement is the conclusion. All the other statements are provided as reasons for the conclusion.)

Does the following passage contain an argument? The library relies on funds to replenish the book inventory. Thus, we will continue to impose fines on overdue or lost books.

Argument Because "thus" indicates conclusion

Does the following passage contain an argument? Certain types of mosquitoes spread malaria. Mosquito nets are inexpensive and help reduce the incidence of that dangerous disease. "So", our company has decided to pledge one million dollars to buy nets for countries that cannot afford to supply their own citizens.

Argument The indicator word "So" points to the conclusion

Does the following passage contain an argument? She just inherited one million dollars, "so" she will probably buy a new house and car.

Argument The premise "She just inherited one million dollars" is offered as support for the conclusion, which is introduced by the indicator word, "so."

Choose which argument form correctly models the given argument, and which substitutions create a counterexample that shows the argument is invalid: No underdeveloped countries are members of the United Nations Security Council. No South American countries are members of the United Nations Security Council. So, no underdeveloped countries are South American countries.

No U are I. No C are I. So, no U are C. Let U = cats, I = snakes, and C = mammals. No cats are snakes, no mammals are snakes so no cats are mammals

Identify the conclusion in the following argument: The fact that Orlando is in Florida, and Florida is in the United States implies that Orlando is in the United States.

Orlando is in the US (The word "implies" is a conclusion indicator)

Determine whether the following inductive argument is strong or weak: Sixty percent of all Kenyans are capable of running one mile in ten minutes. John Keter is a Kenyan. Quite likely, therefore, John Keter is capable of running one mile in ten minutes.

STRONG Assuming the premises are true, the conclusion is quite likely true. Since % of runners is above 50, the conclusion becomes more likely.

Choose which argument form correctly models the given argument, and which substitutions create a counterexample that shows the argument is invalid: Some rice products are pastry items. All pastry items are tasty treats. So, some tasty treats are not rice products.

Some A are B. All B are C. So, some C are not A. Let A = animals, B = cats, and C = mammals.

Choose which argument form correctly models the following argument, and which substitutions create a counterexample that shows the argument is invalid: Some lovers of football are avid readers. Some avid readers are good learners. Therefore, some lovers of football are good learners.

Some A are B. Some B are C. So, some A are C. Let A=Dogs, B=Animals, C=cats

Choose which argument form correctly models the following argument, and which substitutions create a counterexample that shows the argument is invalid: Some lovers of football are avid readers. Some avid readers are good learners. Therefore, some lovers of football are good learners.

Some A are B. Some B are C. So, some A are C. Let A=Dogs, B=Animals, C=cats Some dogs are animals, some animals are cats. So some dogs are cats

Identify the conclusion in the following argument: The city of Atlanta will likely receive some rain tomorrow for several reasons: the weather forecast warned that the city would have heavy showers and thunderstorms on Monday and Tuesday, and they did have heavy showers and thunderstorms. Also, the weather forecast warned that the city would have heavy showers and thunderstorms today, and the city is currently experiencing heavy showers and thunderstorms.

The city of Atlanta will likely receive some rain tomorrow. (The conclusion indicator is not present, but the phrase "for several reasons" indicates that the statement prior to that phrase is the conclusion.)

Identify the conclusion in the following argument: Many people have tried to manipulate the stock market. Traders have attempted to lower the price of a stock by short selling, or spreading negative rumors about a stock. However, because there is a substantial profit incentive to bet against such manipulators, this sort of manipulation is unlikely to be effective in the long run.

This sort of manipulation is unlikely to be effective in the long run The word "because" is a premise indicator. The other sentences offer support for the conclusion.

Identify the conclusion in the following argument: Real friends are reliable. Real friends are honest. Real friends are happy when we succeed and supportive when we suffer. Real friends are hard to find. It follows that you should cherish your true friends.

You should cherish your true friends.