PHIL120

Chapter 1 practice quiz

·        What is an argument?  Identify and describe the parts of arguments.

·        Explain the two steps involved in evaluating an argument.

·        What is it for an argument to be valid?

·        What is it for an argument to be sound? 

·        How does inductive strength differ from deductive validity?

·        Can a valid argument have a false conclusion? Explain

·        If a valid argument has a false premise, what can be said about the truth or falsity of its conclusion?

·        Suppose a valid argument has a false conclusion.  What do we know about its premises?

·        Suppose a valid argument has a false premise. What, if anything, can we infer about the truth or falsity of its conclusion?

·        Is an argument with truth premises and a true conclusion is valid? Explain

·        What does it mean to say that a statement is valid? (careful)

If Gertrude or Herbert wins, then Jane loses

Jane loses.

Gertrude wins.

All monkeys are primates.

All monkeys are animals.

So, all primates are animals.

If Anita passes her final then she will pass the course.

If Anita writes a good research paper, then she will pass the course.

Anita either writes a good research paper or she passes her final.

So, Anita passes the course.

No bicycles are fast vehicles

John’s vehicle is fast

John drives a muscle car.

Some monkeys are primates

All primates are animals

So at least some monkeys are animals

All stars are bodies that shine steadily

All planets are stars

All planets are bodies that shine steadily

All fruits are colorful.

Some colorful things are bananas

Bananas are fruits

If John gets a job he will move out of his parent’s basement

John gets a job

John moves out of his parent’s basement.

• Suppose Sue believes that Spain is in South America.  Does it follow that Sue has inconsistent beliefs?
• Suppose that the conclusion of an argument is logically equivalent to one of its premises.  Do we know that the argument is valid or invalid?  Explain
• An argument whose conclusion is logically true must be valid. (T/F)
• Identify the following as logically true, logically false or logically indeterminate.
  • All Philosophers have an “s” in their names and David Hume is a philosopher.
  • If Sam is fired he will have to declare bankruptcy..