Deck 10: Constructing Arguments

Question 1

An invalid argument form that we commonly use in our thinking goes by the name modus ponens, or
"affirming the antecedent."

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Certain key words, known as cue words, signal that a reason is being offered in support of a conclusion.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

The following are all examples of cue words signaling reasons except

A)because
B)thereby showing
C)as indicated by
D)given that

Answer 3

B

Question 4

We use a number of basic argument forms to organize, relate to, and make sense of the world.The two major types of argument forms are passive and dominant arguments.

Question 5

In constructing an argument, you must be skilled in evaluating its

A)effectiveness.
B)source.
C)structure.
D)original value.

Question 6

All of the following are reasons to construct an argument except

A)inferring.
B)deciding.
C)predicting.
D)persuading.

Question 7

A statement that explains, asserts, or predicts on the basis of statements (known as reasons) that are offered as evidence for it is called

A)an explanation.
B)a conclusion.
C)an argument.
D)an inference.

Question 8

Consider the following argument: Either I left my credit card in my car or I have lost it.The credit card is not in the car; therefore, I must have lost it.What form does this argument follow?

A)Disjunctive syllogism
B)Modus tollens
C)Modus ponens
D)General rule

Question 9

A common form of a valid deductive argument is known as a disjunctive syllogism.The term disjunctive means presenting several alternatives.

Question 10

In evaluating an argument, the first aspect you must evaluate is the truth of the reasons being used to support the conclusion.All of the following are questions you should ask yourself except

A)What evidence exists that this reason is commonly held by others?
B)Does each reason make sense?
C)What evidence is being offered as part of each reason?
D)Is each reason based on a source that can be trusted?

Question 11

Consider the following argument: All dogs have hair; you have hair; therefore you must be a dog. What form does this argument follow?

A)Invalid syllogism
B)Modus tollens
C)Modus ponens
D)General rule

Question 12

A form of thinking in which certain statements (reasons) are offered in support of another statement (a conclusion) is called

A)reasoning.
B)argument.
C)judgment.
D)reflection.

Question 13

Reason: Anything that is harmful should be illegal.
Reason: Marijuana is harmful to our health.Conclusion: Therefore, marijuana should be illegal.
This is an invalid argument because it assumes reasons to be true that are in fact not proven.

Question 14

The purpose of mastering the forms of arguments is to become a sophisticated critical thinker who can present her/his ideas to others effectively.Effective discussion and debate include all the following except

A)listening carefully to other points of view.
B)supporting views with reasons and evidence.
C)assuring that your point of view will be accepted as best.
D)responding to points being made.

Question 15

Certain key words, known as , signal that a reason is being offered in support of a conclusion or that a conclusion is being announced on the basis of certain reasons.

A)adjectives
B)reasoning words
C)predictive terms
D)cue words

Question 16

Consider the following argument: If a county is interested in nuclear disarmament, it would not develop or stockpile nuclear weapons.Iran is developing nuclear weapons; therefore, Iran is not genuinely interested in nuclear disarmament.What form does this argument follow?

A)Disjunctive syllogism
B)Modus tollens
C)Modus ponens
D)General rule

Question 17

An argument in which the reasons do not support the conclusion so that the conclusion does not follow from the reasons offered is called

A)inductive.
B)deductive.
C)invalid.
D)inconclusive.

Question 18

An argument in which the reasons support the conclusion so that the conclusion follows from the reasons offered is called

A)inductive
B)valid
C)disjunctive
D)conclusive

Question 19

Although learning to discuss ideas with others in an organized, productive fashion is essential for critical thinking, it is equally important to be able to present your ideas .

A)through a premise
B)in written form
C)before other people present theirs
D)in cue words

Question 20

An argument form in which one reasons from the premises that are known or assumed to be true to a conclusion that follows necessarily from these premises is known as what type of argument?

A)Inductive
B)Persuasive
C)Deductive
D)Contradictory

Question 21

When an argument includes both true reasons and a valid structure, the argument is considered to be
.

Question 22

Around the turn of the century in America, drug use was widely accepted throughout society.The use of opium for medicinal purposes was extensive.Today, there are thousands of men and women in prisons throughout America serving time for the possession and/or sale or marijuana.What reasons
do you think the federal government gives for outlawing marijuana and do the reasons support the conclusion?

Question 23

is a form of thinking in which certain statements (reasons) are offered in support of another statement (conclusion).

Question 24

Our language provides guidance in our efforts to identify reasons and conclusions.Certain key words, known as cue words, signal that a reason is being offered in support of a conclusion.Why do you think it is imperative for us to use cue words?

Question 25

Many people support the argument that global warming is at least in part caused by humans.What are some reasons for this argument? Evaluate whether the reasons support the conclusion.

Question 26

An argument is a form of thinking in which certain statements are offered in support of or to rebut statements made by others.

Question 27

An argument that has either false reasons or an invalid structure is said to be _.

Question 28

A commonly used deductive form of thinking has the name ; that is, "denying the consequence."

Question 29

is a thinking process that you use to reason from what you already know in order to form new knowledge or beliefs.

Question 30

A common form of a valid deductive argument is known as a
, which, in part, means offering several alternatives.

Question 31

In constructing an argument, when we assume that the reasons given are true and a conclusion necessarily follows, we call this type of thinking .

Question 32

Just as you can use inferences to make sense of different types of situations, so you can also construct arguments for different purposes.

Question 33

Imagine that you have been asked by the president to prepare a position paper on human cloning that can be used to shape the government's policy.Construct an extended argument regarding human cloning.

Question 34

The art of politics is the art of persuasive speaking.If politicians are using a proper form of deductive argument in order to make their points, why is it that Democrats and Republicans can be arguing the same point and yet come to different conclusions?

Question 35

Determining the of an argument involves investigating the between the reasons and the conclusion .

Question 36

Modus means "affirming the antecedent."

Question 37

The first aspect of the argument you must evaluate is the truth of the reasons that are being used to support a conclusion.

Question 38

Reasons are statements that support another statement, giving validity to previous statements and justification to the argument at hand.

Question 39

When you construct arguments, you are composing and relating to the world by means of your ability to infer.

Question 40

In terms of , "truth' and "validity" are not the same concepts.