Deductive Reasoning and Logical Arguments, Exams of English Literature

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PHIL 347N Check Point Quiz week 4

Questions and Answers

1) Based on what you have read in the text, the lecture, and any other sources you find helpful to your understanding of deductive arguments, explain the structure of a deductive argument in your own words. A deductive argument is a sound argument that shows a logical relationship between two premises that lead to or infer a conclusion. Deductive reason allows for certainty as long as certain rules are followed. Beginning with a statement we believe to be true or false. This is called the premise. Followed by reasoning in a logical manner to arrive at a conclusion. 2) Go to the box “Deductive Reasoning” (in the beginning of Chapter 8). Read the last paragraph there. Based on that reading and any other sources you find helpful to your understanding, describe the part that “rules, operating conditions, core beliefs, values, policies, principles, procedures, and terminology” (p. 159) play in deductive arguments. These are things that set the foundation, guideline, or structure of our evaluative reasoning skill. Which allow us to determine the credibility and validity of claims made and sources of information. We also use these skills to determine strength or weaknesses of an argument. They help identify the elements of a situation and determine how those parts interact. 3) In the introduction to Chapter 8, the text sets forth a specific definition of the term “valid” as it applies to deductive arguments. What is that definition? Your Answer: Valid- Describes an argument or inference such that the truth of the premise entails or implies that conclusion must be true; In other words, It impossible for the conclusion to be false if all of the premises are true. 4) Use the following template to create a valid Denying the Consequent argument example: If then It is not the case that Therefore, it is not the case that

Example: For a template such as “Either A or B. Not A. Therefore B” you would answer: “Either tuition increases, or I graduate in two years. Tuition will not increase. Therefore, I will graduate in two years.” Do this for all five templates. Templates

**- Either A, B, or C. Not C. So, A or B.

• It is not the case that both A and B are true. So, either A is not true or B** **is not true.
• Neither B nor C is true. So, B is false.
• B unless C. Not B. So, C.
• A only if B. A. Therefore, B.** Check the Logical Strength of each argument you have written. If it lacks logical strength, check the table Grammatically Equivalent Structures (in Chapter 8) to be sure you are interpreting the words correctly. Your Answer: Either: A: (Tuition increases) B:(Graduate two years) or C: (Unlimited cash) Not: C: I dont have (unlimited cash) so either I (Graduate two years) or (Tuition increases) it is not the case that both A: (Tuition increases) or B: (Graduate two years) so either if I (Graduate two years) is not true. tuition will not increase Neither B: (Graduate two years) nor C: (Unlimited cash) is true. So, B: (Graduate two years) is false. I have to B:(Graduate two years) unless C: (Unlimited cash) not B:(Graduate two years) So C: (Unlimited cash) A only if B. A. Therefore, B. A: (Tuition increases)on it I do not B:(Graduate two years) therefore B: (Graduate two years)

8) Transivity, reflexivity, and identity refer to what kind of reasoning? Your Answer: Valid reasoning 9) Using what you learned in Chapter 8 section Applying a Generalization, construct an argument proving that your Chamberlain major will place you in the category of healthcare worker. Your Answer: all chamberlain students graduate with a degree to work in the healthcare field. Melissa graduated from chamberlain therefore Melissa must work in the healthcare field. 10)A local newspaper serving a mid-sized U.S. city whose population is about 300,000 surveyed 40 retail businesses. Of the businesses surveyed, 70% said they were planning little or no hiring of extra workers during the coming Christmas season. The newspaper concluded that consumer spending would likely be down for Christmas this year, since retailers were not anticipating extra holiday business. Evaluate the newspaper’s generalization about consumer holiday spending using what you have learned in Chapter 9, including the four questions suggested by the text:

**- Was the correct group sampled?

• Were the data obtained in an effective way?
• Were enough cases considered?
• Was the sample representatively structured?** Your Answer:
• Was the correct group sampled? Yes, for a general census. This because retailers gather sales and consumer spending reports on a daily basis giving them the ability to project the averages of future sales and consumer spending.
• Were the data obtained in an effective way?

that the data, used as reasons for the claim, represent all of the American people, or even a good portion of the American people.

12)What is a correlation? What is a statistically significant correlation? Your Answer: correlation is a term that refers to the connection, or the relationship, between two things. According to the textbook, a statistically significant correlation is one in which the relationship between the two events is viewed as not likely to be coincidental or by chance. 13)Go to Individual Exercises at the end of Chapter 9. Go to Example 12. What test does this argument fail? What fallacy does the argument contain? Your Answer: Does not pass the test of logical strength. False dilemma fallacy.