Question 1

Which of the following options is the best COUNTEREXAMPLE to the general claim that:
Everyone likes to eat peanuts.
A) Peanuts are indeed a popular food, but they shouldn't be-- they are loaded with fat.
B) My kids all love peanuts.
C) Lots of people hate the taste of peanuts.
D) Tennis superstar Serena Williams is allergic to peanuts, and so does not like to eat them.

Accepted Answer

A counterexample to the claim "Everyone likes to eat peanuts" is an instance where someone does not like to eat peanuts. Serena Williams being allergic and not liking to eat them directly contradicts the claim.

Question 2

Which of the following options is the best COUNTEREXAMPLE to the general claim that:
Every planet has at least one moon.
A) Saturn has no moons.
B) Venus has no moons.
C) Earth has exactly one moon.
D) Jupiter has more than 70 moons.

Accepted Answer

Venus is a planet that does not have any moons, making it a counterexample to the claim that every planet has at least one moon.

Question 3

Which of the following options is the best COUNTEREXAMPLE to the general claim that:
Everyone likes to be hugged.
A) Cats don't like to be hugged.
B) People with broken ribs do not liked to be hugged.
C) People who don't like to be hugged need to loosen up.
D) Hardly anyone I know likes to be hugged.

Accepted Answer

People with broken ribs may find hugging painful, thus serving as a counterexample to the claim that everyone likes to be hugged.

Question 4

Which of the following options is the best COUNTEREXAMPLE to the general claim that:
Everyone pays income taxes.
A) Trial lawyers and teachers don't pay any income taxes.
B) My sister doesn't pay income taxes.
C) People who have no income--including, for example, babies--do not pay income taxes.
D) No one should have to pay income taxes--taxation is theft.

Accepted Answer

A counterexample to the claim "Everyone pays income taxes" would be a specific case where someone does not pay income taxes. People with no income, such as babies, do not pay income taxes, making option C a valid counterexample.

Question 5

Which of the following options is the best COUNTEREXAMPLE to the general claim that:
Physically hurting a child is always morally wrong.
A) Imagine that you are a doctor caring for a child with a broken arm. Properly setting the break before you put on the cast will hurt the child a lot. But properly setting the break is not morally wrong, because it is better for the child in the long run.
B) Children these days are too coddled, and would be better off if they experienced a little more suffering.
C) Imagine that your child comes home with a minor scrape on her knee. It isn't a bad wound, but you see that you should clean it before you apply a band-aid. You have two options: iodine, which will burn like fire, or a clean cloth dampened with water, which will do just as good a job for a minor scrape like this one. In this case it would be wrong to hurt your child with the iodine. You should use the damp cloth instead.
D) Lots of people believe they have a moral duty to spank their children when they misbehave.

Accepted Answer

Setting a broken arm, though painful, is done for the child's long-term benefit and is not considered morally wrong, thus serving as a counterexample to the claim.

Question 6

Which of the following options is the best COUNTEREXAMPLE to the general claim that: If it's a non-human animal, there's nothing morally wrong with eating it.
A) Many followers of Judaism and Islam believe it is wrong to eat pigs, which are non-human animals.
B) Animals are friends, not food-- we shouldn't eat any of them.
C) Insects are non-human animals, and hardly anyone thinks its wrong to eat them.
D) Black rhinos are a critically endangered species of non-human animal. Even though they are non-human animals, it would obviously be wrong to kill and eat one, because they are so nearly extinct.

Accepted Answer

The claim is countered by the example of black rhinos, as it shows that there can be moral reasons, such as conservation and the risk of extinction, that make it wrong to eat certain non-human animals.

Question 7

Which of the following options is the best COUNTEREXAMPLE to the general claim that:
The right thing to do in a situation is always to treat another person in the way you would want to be treated in that situation.
A) Imagine a vain man who loves it when strangers on the street whistle at him and complement his physical appearance. The fact that he would like to be treated this way does NOT mean he should treat other people this way. Most people find this behavior harassing and demeaning.
B) If you were a stranger visiting a new town, you would want the people there to be kind to you and to help you find your way around. That's why when you see a stranger visiting your own home town, you should be kind to them and help them find their way around.
C) Almost every religion makes some version of this claim. It is probably true
D) Suppose you are on your way to class and you see someone collapse on the sidewalk. It is true that if you were in their situation, you would want someone to help you. But this doesn't give you a reason to help that other person if you don't want to. It depends on whether or not you care about being late to class.

Accepted Answer

The example of the vain man illustrates that personal preferences for treatment do not universally apply, as others may not appreciate or desire the same treatment, highlighting a flaw in the general claim.

Question 8

Which of the following options is the best COUNTEREXAMPLE to the general claim that:
You should always keep your promises.
A) Promises are made to be broken.
B) Suppose you break the promises you wish you hadn't made. In that case, your friends won't trust you any more and you will lose them. Breaking your promises isn't worth it.
C) You shouldn't keep promises you regret having made. For example, suppose you promise to visit your friend in the hospital, but then decide you'd rather meet up with friends who aren't in the hospital. If you'd regret visiting the hospital friend, as you had promised to do, then you shouldn't keep that promise.
D) You shouldn't keep your promises in some situations in which you learn new information that changes what you would have promised. For example, suppose you promised to visit your friend, but then learn you have been exposed to ebola and might be contagious. You shouldn't keep your promise to visit your friend in that case.

Accepted Answer

This option provides a scenario where keeping a promise could cause harm, thus serving as a valid counterexample to the claim that you should always keep your promises.

Question 9

Which of the following options is the best COUNTEREXAMPLE to the general claim that:
You should always do what your parents tell you to do.
A) Some parents are very bad, and their children shouldn't always do what those parents say. For example, suppose a pair of bank robbers told their son to drive the getaway car. He shouldn't do what his parents say in that case.
B) Children defy their parents all the time-- it's part of growing up.
C) Honoring your parents is an important part of being a mature and well-adjusted adult, even if it isn't ALWAYS true that you should do what they tell you to do.
D) Suppose you parents tell you to watch your younger brother while they run some errands. But after they are gone, you get a call from a friend that a bunch of people are meeting up for lunch. Even though your parents told you to watch you brother, you should go meet your friends for lunch.

Accepted Answer

A counterexample effectively disproves a general claim by providing a specific instance where the claim does not hold true. Option A provides a clear scenario where following parental instructions would be morally and legally wrong, thus serving as a strong counterexample to the claim.

Quiz 3: Generating Counterexamples

Which of the following options is the best COUNTEREXAMPLE to the general claim that: Everyone likes to eat peanuts.

Which of the following options is the best COUNTEREXAMPLE to the general claim that: Every planet has at least one moon.

Which of the following options is the best COUNTEREXAMPLE to the general claim that: Everyone likes to be hugged.

Which of the following options is the best COUNTEREXAMPLE to the general claim that: Everyone pays income taxes.

Which of the following options is the best COUNTEREXAMPLE to the general claim that: Physically hurting a child is always morally wrong.

Which of the following options is the best COUNTEREXAMPLE to the general claim that: If it's a non-human animal, there's nothing morally wrong with eating it.

Which of the following options is the best COUNTEREXAMPLE to the general claim that: The right thing to do in a situation is always to treat another person in the way you would want to be treated in that situation.

Which of the following options is the best COUNTEREXAMPLE to the general claim that: You should always keep your promises.

Which of the following options is the best COUNTEREXAMPLE to the general claim that: You should always do what your parents tell you to do.