Critical Thinking 2

What is one way you know you probably have a hidden premise? a.) If the conclusion is normative, but the premises are descriptive b.) If the conclusion is descriptive, and the premises are too c.) If the premises are normative, and the conclusion is too d.) If the conclusion and premises are all in present tense

a.) If the conclusion is normative, but the premises are descriptive

What is an inductive argument? a.) One where the premises provide good reasoning for the conclusion to be true b.) One where the emotional pull of the conclusion outweighs the truth of the premises c.) One where the conclusion always follows from the premises d.) One where the premises are sometimes false but the conclusion is always true

a.) One where the premises provide good reasoning for the conclusion to be true The premises provide good reasoning for the conclusion to be true. This is an inductive argument.

Which of the following is an actual truth, but not a necessary truth? a.) Mexico is a famous singer. b.) Mexico is on the North American continent. c.) Mexico is the capital of America. d.) Mexico is Mexico.

b.) Mexico is on the North American continent.

Consider the following argument: Whales are endangered because the fishing industry hunts them. Which statement is a premise in this argument? a.) Whales are endangered, and the fishing industry hunts them. b.) The fishing industry hunts whales. c.) This is not an argument. d.) Whales are endangered.

b.) The fishing industry hunts whales.

Which of the following is true about explanation arguments? a.) The premises explain each other. b.) The premises attempt to explain why the conclusion is true. c.) An explanation isn't an argument. d.) The premises establish that the conclusion is true.

b.) The premises attempt to explain why the conclusion is true. True. In an explanation argument, the goal is to explain the conclusion.

The sun has risen in the east and set in the west every day prior to today, so I expect it will do so tomorrow, too. Select the hidden premise that makes this argument valid or strong. a.) The sun orbits the earth. b.) This argument is already valid/strong, so there is no hidden premise that would make it valid/strong. c.) The earth orbits the sun. d.) The sun is a giant ball of gas.

b.) This argument is already valid/strong, so there is no hidden premise that would make it valid/strong.

Which of the following best describes the function of 'cases' in deductive logic? a.) To test for truth of the conclusion alone b.) To test for validity c.) To test for the truth of the premises alone d.) To test for meaning

b.) To test for validity

What is the "principle of charity"? a.) When you do your best to reconstruct the premises in an argument about donating to charity b.) When you do your best to reconstruct premises in an argument to make the argument valid c.) When you do your best to make a convincing, valid argument during a debate d.) When you do your best to reconstruct premises in an argument to make the argument invalid

b.) When you do your best to reconstruct premises in an argument to make the argument valid

Consider the following argument: "It's better for the environment if you take public transportation to work, because our car didn't pass the state inspection." Select the hidden premise that makes this argument valid or strong. a.) The state should care about the environment. b.) This argument is already valid/strong, so there is no hidden premise needed to make it strong/valid. c.) Cars that don't pass state inspection are worse for the environment than public transportation. d.) We should care about the environment.

c.) Cars that don't pass state inspection are worse for the environment than public transportation. Because the conclusion is normative, i.e., "You should take public transportation to work," it requires a normative premise to validate why taking public transportation being better for the environment should motivate you to do it.

Which of the following statements is the best example of an argument? a.) I think that I am. b.) I think and I am. c.) I think, therefore I am. d.) I think, you think, or we all think.

c.) I think, therefore I am. This statement includes both a premise ("I think") and a conclusion ("I am"), and the classic conclusion indicator "therefore."

Consider the following argument: 1. Either Ian is a punk rocker, or Ian is a poet. 2. Ian likes music. 3. Therefore, Ian is a punk rocker. Which is a counterexample to this argument? a.) There is no counterexample (the argument is valid). b.) Ian could be a punk who loves math and also writes poetry. c.) Ian could be a poet and like music, but not be a punk rocker. d.) Ian could be a poetry-writing punk rocker who hates music.

c.) Ian could be a poet and like music, but not be a punk rocker.

What's a good first step in trying to reconstruct an argument, as recommended in the tutorial? a.) Find hidden premises. b.) Find counterexamples. c.) Identify the main conclusion. d.) Identify the premises.

c.) Identify the main conclusion. This is a good first step in reconstructing an argument. Once you find the main conclusion, you can work backwards to identify premises and subarguments.

What is one way using formal logic can help critical thinking? a.) It can help us win arguments. b.) It can help us have opinions that are never wrong. c.) It can help us identify errors in the structure of our reasoning. d.) It can help us sound smarter.

c.) It can help us identify errors in the structure of our reasoning.

Which is true of a main argument? a.) It is the only argument available. b.) The premises appeal to norms. c.) Some premises will be the conclusions of subarguments. d.) The premises explain the conclusion.

c.) Some premises will be the conclusions of subarguments.

What is the role that truth plays in induction? a.) Statements are true when they're emotionally compelling. b.) Statements are absolutely true/false, not likely or probably so. c.) Statements are likely or probably true, not absolutely so. d.) Truth plays no role in these arguments.

c.) Statements are likely or probably true, not absolutely so.

Which of the following sentence types can be used as statements in a logical argument? a.) Fragment b.) Question c.) Imperative d.) Declarative

d.) Declarative Declarative sentences assert something as being true. These are the only statements that can be used in logical arguments.

Which of the following statements about validity is true? a.) The conclusion and premises are always true. b.) The conclusion does not follow from the premises. c.) The conclusion is true even when the premises are false. d.) It means there are no counterexamples.

d.) It means there are no counterexamples.

Which of the following is true of assuring? a.) Not promising more evidence when you don't have it b.) Not promising more evidence when you do have it c.) Promising more evidence and giving it right away d.) Promising more evidence but not giving it right away

d.) Promising more evidence but not giving it right away Assuring can be a way to relieve worries that your audience might have about the truth of your claims. It's a way of telling them that there is more evidence, even if you're not giving it now.

Which of the following statements is a possible truth, but not an actual truth? a.) Musicians play music. b.) If the Beatles play music, then they are musicians. c.) The Beatles are musicians. d.) The Beatles are famous painters.

d.) The Beatles are famous painters.

Consider the following argument: If Pluto is a planet, then tomorrow is Wednesday. Tomorrow is Wednesday. Therefore, Pluto is a planet. Which is a counterexample to this argument? a.) Tomorrow is Friday, and Pluto is a dog. b.) Tomorrow is Friday, and Pluto is not a planet. c.) There is no counterexample (the argument is valid). d.) Tomorrow is Wednesday, but Pluto is not a planet.

d.) Tomorrow is Wednesday, but Pluto is not a planet. This is the fallacy of affirming the consequent.

What are the components of a logical argument? a.) Proven facts b.) Intuitions and reasoning c.) Premises and assumptions d.) Premises and conclusions

d.)Premises and conclusions Logical arguments consist of premises and the conclusion(s) that follow from them.