Deck 2: A Little Bit of Logic

Question 1

According to your text, an argument in philosophy is a verbal fight.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

In a valid deductive argument, if the premises are true, the conclusion must be true.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Modus ponens is a valid argument form.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

If an inductive argument is strong, it is impossible for the conclusion to be false.

Question 5

Abductive reasoning yields only probable truth.

Question 6

According to your text, it is always wrong to believe something on authority.

Question 7

The straw man argument involves misrepresenting an opponent's position.

Question 8

The slippery slope argument ignores the fact that there sometimes can be a moderate position between two extremes.

Question 9

If A is a sufficient condition for B, it does not follow that A is a necessary condition for B.

Question 10

It is impossible for a set of conditions to be both necessary and sufficient for another condition.

Question 11

The definition of a sound argument is that it is an argument that

A) is valid and has all true premises.
B) has a true conclusion.
C) is inductively strong and has all true premises.
D) has all true premises.

Question 12

If a strong inductive argument has all true premises, then we know the conclusion is

A) necessarily true.
B) probably true.
C) valid.
D) sound.

Question 13

The following argument"(1)If Jones is pregnant, then Jones is a female, (2) Jones is not a female, (3) therefore Jones is not pregnant," is an example of

A) modus ponens
B) modus tollens
C) disjunctive syllogism.
D) denying the antecedent.

Question 14

What is the name of the following argument form? (1) "Either P or Q. (2) Not Q. (3) Therefore, P.

A) modus ponens
B) disjunctive syllogism
C) affirming the consequent
D) an inductive argument

Question 15

A good inductive argument is an argument which is

A) valid.
B) sound.
C) strong.
D) a and b

Question 16

Another name for abduction is

A) reasoning to the best explanation.
B) induction.
C) a truth-preserving argument.
D) reduction to an absurdity.

Question 17

The text's principle of practicing charity requires that

A) we have compassion for those less fortunate than us.
B) we accept an author's conclusion if we think he or she sincerely believes it.
C) we recognize that all arguments are of equal worth.
D) we give an argument the best possible interpretation.

Question 18

An argument that attacks the person instead of the person position is which fallacy?

A) straw man argument
B) argument from ignorance
C) arguing in a circle
D) ad hominem argument

Question 19

The claim that "because you cannot prove a proposition false, I am justified in believing it to be true"is which fallacy?

A) argument from ignorance
B) arguing in a circle
C) genetic fallacy
D) slippery slope

Question 20

Being a male is a _______ condition for being a father.

A) necessary
B) sufficient
C) necessary and sufficient
D) ad hoc

Question 21

Consider the following argument. "(1) If Jones is a mathematics major, then she can work calculus problems. (2) Jones is not a mathematics major. (3) Therefore, Jones cannot work calculus problems." What is the name of this argument form? Write a convincing analysis to show that this argument either is or is not valid.

Question 22

Choose one of the fallacies of reasoning and construct a concrete example of this form of argument. Now, explain why this argument is not an acceptable form of reasoning.

Question 23

What is the name of the argument form that begins by assuming the truth of the position you want to refute? If one does not believe the position that is being assumed, what is the point of assuming that it is true?

Question 24

Give a necessary condition for being dead. Give a sufficient condition for being dead. What is the difference between these two kinds of conditions?