Question 1

Which of the following is true of a syllogism?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is true of...

Question 2

If the conclusion of an argument follows with strict logical necessity from its premises, then the argument should be treated as _____.

Accepted Answer

An argument where the conclusion follows with strict logical necessity from its premises is defined as deductive. In a deductive argument, if the premises are true, the conclusion must also be true.

Question 3

Denying the antecedent arguments have the following pattern:

Accepted Answer

Denying the antecedent is a logical fallacy that incorrectly infers the inverse from the original statement. It assumes that if the condition (A) is not true, then the consequence (B) cannot occur, which is not a valid logical inference.

Question 4

Inductive generalizations always proceed from particular premises to a general conclusion.

Accepted Answer

Inductive generalizations start with specific observations or particular instances and then draw a general conclusion based on the patterns observed in those instances.

Question 5

"On Monday, Regina went to Kentucky Fried Chicken for lunch. On Wednesday, she went to Burger King for lunch. On Thursday, she went to the Hungry Heifer Steakhouse for lunch. So, Regina is probably not a vegetarian." This illustrates a(n) _____.

Accepted Answer

This is a strong inductive argument because it is based on specific observations (Regina eating at places known for serving meat) that lead to a probable general conclusion (Regina is probably not a vegetarian), even though it's not absolutely certain.

Question 6

Arguments based on mathematics are always inductive.

Accepted Answer

Mathematical arguments can be both inductive and deductive. Inductive reasoning involves making generalizations based on specific observations, while deductive reasoning starts with a general premise and deduces specific conclusions. Many mathematical proofs, especially those proving theorems, are deductive in nature.

Question 7

A mathematical proof in geometry is an example of inductive reasoning.

Accepted Answer

A mathematical proof in geometry typically uses deductive reasoning, where conclusions are drawn from general principles or premises.

Question 8

The argument "Either I can fix you the same old potatoes or I can fix you some delicious fried okra; I know you don't want to have the same old potatoes; so, I'll fix you some delicious fried okra" is an example of _____.

Accepted Answer

This argument is an example of an argument by elimination because it presents two options and eliminates one based on a given premise, leading to the conclusion that the other option will be chosen.

Question 9

If an inductive argument has a false premise, then the argument is _____.

Accepted Answer

An inductive argument is considered uncogent if it has a false premise, lacks strong inductive force, or both. Uncogency specifically applies to inductive reasoning, whereas unsoundness is a term used for deductive arguments with a false premise or invalid structure. Weakness in an argument refers to the lack of strength in the connection between premises and conclusion, but does not directly relate to the truth value of the premises.

Question 10

"On Monday, Irene wore a New York Mets jacket to class. On Wednesday, Irene wore a New York Mets hat to class. On Friday, Irene wore a New York Mets sweatshirt to class. So, it is likely that Irene is a New York Mets fan." This illustrates a(n) _____.

Accepted Answer

The argument is a strong inductive argument because it is based on specific observations (Irene wearing New York Mets gear on multiple occasions) that lead to a probable general conclusion (Irene is likely a New York Mets fan). It's not deductively valid or invalid because it doesn't claim certainty, just likelihood.

Question 11

"All Republicans are pro-choice; Barack Obama is a Republican. So, Barack Obama is pro-choice." This illustrates a(n) _____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of "All Republicans are pro-choice; Barack Obama is...

Question 12

A(n) _____ is a three-line deductive argument in which each line in the argument begins with "all," "some," or "no."

Accepted Answer

A categorical syllogism is a form of reasoning consisting of three propositions: a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion. Each proposition begins with "all," "some," or "no," making it distinct from the other types of arguments listed.

Question 13

"If 90 percent of Wexford County residents are Democrats, then their state representative must be a Democrat. Ninety percent of Wexford County residents are Democrats. So, their state representative must be a Democrat." This illustrates a(n) _____.

Accepted Answer

This is a valid deductive argument because it follows a logical structure where the conclusion (their state representative must be a Democrat) necessarily follows from the premises (90 percent of Wexford County residents are Democrats, and if 90 percent are Democrats, then the representative must be a Democrat).

Question 14

All welfare recipients are poor. Ahmed is poor. Therefore, Ahmed is a welfare recipient. This illustrates a(n) _____.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of an invalid deductive argument because it assumes that being poor is sufficient condition for being a welfare recipient, ignoring other possible reasons for Ahmed's poverty. The argument's conclusion does not logically follow from its premises.

Question 15

The argument "No rappers are opera singers; no opera singers are professional wrestlers; so, no rappers are professional wrestlers" is an example of _____.

Accepted Answer

This argument is a categorical syllogism because it involves three categorical propositions that relate three categories (rappers, opera singers, and professional wrestlers) in a logical structure, leading to a conclusion based on their relationships.

Question 16

Arguments in which the conclusion is claimed to follow only probably from the premises are _____.

Accepted Answer

Inductive arguments are characterized by the claim that their conclusions follow with some degree of probability, rather than certainty, from their premises. Unlike deductive arguments, where the conclusion is supposed to follow necessarily from the premises, inductive reasoning allows for the conclusion to be probable based on the evidence provided by the premises.

Question 17

The following argument is inductively strong: "All previous U.S. presidents have worn a beard. So, the next U.S. president will probably wear a beard."

Accepted Answer

The answer of The following argument is inductively strong: "All...

Question 18

Denying the antecedent is a type of hypothetical syllogism.

Accepted Answer

Denying the antecedent is a type of hypothetical syllogism in which the antecedent of the conditional statement is denied in the second premise.

Question 19

The argument "If I want to improve my thinking skills, I better study critical thinking; I do want to improve my thinking skills; therefore, I better study critical thinking" is an example of _____.

Accepted Answer

This argument is an example of a hypothetical syllogism because it follows the structure: If P then Q, P, therefore Q. It starts with a conditional statement (If I want to improve my thinking skills, I better study critical thinking), affirms the antecedent (I do want to improve my thinking skills), and concludes with the consequent (therefore, I better study critical thinking).

Question 20

Inductive arguments always proceed from particular premises to a general conclusion.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Inductive arguments always proceed from particular premises...

Quiz 3: Basic Logical Concepts