Quiz #3: Identifying Arguments
"A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." The premise is "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state..."
True
"Either Charles Darwin was a genius or crazy. If most of his Theory of Evolution has been confirmed, then he was a genius. Well, most of his theory has been confirmed. Therefore Darwin was a genius." The conclusion of this argument is, "Therefore Darwin was a genius."
True
"The universe is indeterminate. You see if Quantum Mechanics is true, then the universe is indeterminate and all evidence shows that Quantum Mechanics is true." The conclusion is, "The universe is indeterminate."
True
"There may have been life on Mars. Because it looks like there is frozen water on the poles of Mars and almost everywhere you find water, you find some form of life." The conclusion of this argument is, "There may have been life on Mars."
True
"We cannot both reduce the deficit and spend so much on the military. We do not spend so much on the military, so we reduce the deficit." The conclusion is, "...so we reduce the deficit."
True
"Anyone who killed Osama bin Laden is tough on national defense. So President Obama is tough on national defense, since he killed Osama bin Laden." "Anyone who killed Osama bin Laden is tough on national defense," is the conclusion.
False
"If Socrates was on trial, then philosophy was on trial. We know Socrates was on trial in ancient Athens. So philosophy was on trial." A premise is, "So philosophy was on trial."
False
"If most galaxies are moving away from the Earth, then the Big Bang Theory is very probable. Most galaxies are moving away from the Earth. Consequently, the Big Bang Theory is probable." "Most galaxies are moving away from the Earth," is the conclusion.
False
"If this is the best of all possible worlds, then evil does not exist. It follows that is not the best of all possible worlds. It's obvious that evil does exist." The conclusion is, "It's obvious that evil does exist."
False
"If we make peace between Israel and Palestine and reach and agreement with Iran, then we will be closer to a peaceful world. Happily we did make peace between Israel and Palestine. We also reached an agreement with Iran. Consequently, we are closer to a peaceful world." A premise is, "Consequently, we are closer to a peaceful world."
False