Question 1

Affirming the consequent is a deductively valid pattern of reasoning.

Accepted Answer

Affirming the consequent is a logical fallacy where one assumes that because a known outcome occurs, the specific cause they have in mind must have been present, which is not a deductively valid form of reasoning.

Question 2

No strong arguments have any false premises.

Accepted Answer

Strong arguments can have false premises but still be considered strong due to the logical structure that validly connects the premises to the conclusion. The strength of an argument often refers to the degree to which the premises support the conclusion, not necessarily the truth of the premises themselves.

Question 3

Modus ponens is a logically reliable pattern of reasoning.

Accepted Answer

Modus ponens, also known as "affirming the antecedent," is a valid form of argument in logic where if the premises are true, the conclusion must also be true. It follows the structure: If P, then Q. P is true, therefore Q is true.

Question 4

Which of the following is not a common induction indicator word or phrase?
A) chances are that
B) None of the answers are correct
C) it logically follows that
D) likely

Accepted Answer

"It logically follows that" is typically used as a deduction indicator, suggesting a conclusion drawn from premises, rather than an induction indicator which suggests probability or likelihood.

Question 5

_____ arguments have the following pattern: If A then B; not A; therefore, not B.
A) "Denying the antecedent"
B) Modus ponens
C) Modus tollens
D) "Affirming the consequent"

Accepted Answer

This is the pattern of "Denying the antecedent," a logical fallacy where one incorrectly infers the inverse from the original statement. If the original statement is "If A, then B," denying the antecedent would incorrectly assume "Not A; therefore, not B," which does not logically follow from the original statement.

Question 6

No valid argument can have all true premises and a false conclusion.

Accepted Answer

By definition, a valid argument is one where if the premises are true, the conclusion must also be true. Therefore, it cannot have all true premises and a false conclusion.

Question 7

A valid argument must _____.
A) All of the answers are correct
B) be a deductive argument
C) have a true conclusion
D) have all true premises

Accepted Answer

The answer of A valid argument must _____.
A) All of...

Question 8

"Loud music is blaring from Matt's house, lots of cars are parked out front, and I just saw two frat brothers of mine carrying kegs of beer into the house. Matt is probably having a party." This illustrates a(n) _____.
A) weak inductive argument
B) valid deductive argument
C) invalid deductive argument
D) strong inductive argument

Accepted Answer

This is a strong inductive argument because it is based on specific observations (loud music, lots of cars, frat brothers with beer kegs) that lead to a probable, but not certain, conclusion (Matt is having a party). Inductive arguments increase the likelihood of their conclusions without guaranteeing them, and the given observations strongly suggest the conclusion.

Question 9

"All Emmy winners have been models. Thus, it is likely that the next Emmy winner will be a model." This illustrates a(n) _____.
A) weak inductive argument
B) invalid deductive argument
C) strong inductive argument
D) valid deductive argument

Accepted Answer

The answer of "All Emmy winners have been models. Thus,...

Question 10

If an argument contains the indicator words probably or likely, it is most likely an inductive argument.

Accepted Answer

Indicator words like "probably" or "likely" suggest that the conclusion is not guaranteed but is supported to some degree by the premises, which is characteristic of inductive arguments.

Question 11

"Certainly," "conclusively," and "it logically follows that" are common deduction indicator words and phrases.

Accepted Answer

These words and phrases are often used to signal a logical deduction, indicating that the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises.

Question 12

Which of the following statements is true about deductive reasoning?
A) All patterns of deductive reasoning are completely reliable.
B) No pattern of generality should be regarded as essential to deductive reasoning.
C) Deductive reasoning is a technical and specialized form of reasoning.
D) Statistical evidence cannot be used in deductive reasoning.

Accepted Answer

Deductive reasoning involves drawing conclusions from general principles or premises, and it does not necessarily exclude any pattern of generality. It's a fundamental method of logical reasoning rather than being overly technical or specialized, and it can involve various types of evidence, including statistical, as long as the reasoning follows logically from the premises to the conclusion.

Question 13

An "argument by elimination" seeks to logically rule out various possibilities until only a single possibility remains.

Accepted Answer

An argument by elimination works by systematically excluding alternatives until only one option is left, which is then considered the correct or best solution.

Question 14

Which of the following is not a common pattern of deductive reasoning?
A) a statistical argument
B) a categorical syllogism
C) an argument from elimination
D) an argument by definition

Accepted Answer

A statistical argument is not typically considered a common pattern of deductive reasoning because it relies on probability and inductive reasoning rather than the certainty provided by deductive logic. Deductive reasoning involves arguments where the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises, unlike statistical arguments which deal with likelihoods.

Question 15

A hypothetical syllogism is a syllogism that contains at least one conditional premise.

Accepted Answer

A hypothetical syllogism is indeed a form of syllogism that involves at least one conditional statement (if-then statement) as one of its premises.

Question 16

The common pattern test asks, "Are there any indicator words that signal whether the argument is intended to be deductive or inductive?"

Accepted Answer

The answer of The common pattern test asks, "Are there...

Question 17

"Jennifer was a brunette when she was a freshman, and she was a blonde when she was a sophomore. So, it is likely that she will be a redhead when she is a junior." This illustrates a(n) _____.
A) valid deductive argument
B) weak inductive argument
C) invalid deductive argument
D) strong inductive argument

Accepted Answer

The statement is an example of a weak inductive argument because it makes a broad generalization based on a small amount of evidence (changing hair color over two years) without a strong basis for predicting future changes.

Quiz 3: Basic Logical Concepts

Affirming the consequent is a deductively valid pattern of reasoning.

No strong arguments have any false premises.

Modus ponens is a logically reliable pattern of reasoning.

Which of the following is not a common induction indicator word or phrase?

_____ arguments have the following pattern: If A then B; not A; therefore, not B.

No valid argument can have all true premises and a false conclusion.

A valid argument must _____.

"Loud music is blaring from Matt's house, lots of cars are parked out front, and I just saw two frat brothers of mine carrying kegs of beer into the house. Matt is probably having a party." This illustrates a(n) _____.

"All Emmy winners have been models. Thus, it is likely that the next Emmy winner will be a model." This illustrates a(n) _____.

If an argument contains the indicator words probably or likely, it is most likely an inductive argument.

"Certainly," "conclusively," and "it logically follows that" are common deduction indicator words and phrases.

Which of the following statements is true about deductive reasoning?

An "argument by elimination" seeks to logically rule out various possibilities until only a single possibility remains.

Which of the following is not a common pattern of deductive reasoning?

A hypothetical syllogism is a syllogism that contains at least one conditional premise.

The common pattern test asks, "Are there any indicator words that signal whether the argument is intended to be deductive or inductive?"

"Jennifer was a brunette when she was a freshman, and she was a blonde when she was a sophomore. So, it is likely that she will be a redhead when she is a junior." This illustrates a(n) _____.