Which of the following should we do first in our analysis of the ‘validity’ of an argument?

Question 1

The three parts of an argument are _____________, inference, and conclusion:

truth value

premises

deduction

reasoning

3 points

Question 2

The law of excluded middle states

something cannot both be and not be at the same time

the middle term must be distributed in the premises at least once

something either is or is not

something is what it is

3 points

Question 3

According to the reading, even God cannot create a contradiction.
True

False

3 points

Question 4

A mixed hypothetical syllogism in which the premise denies the consequent is called:

Modus ponens

Categorical

Disjunctive

Modus tollens

3 points

Question 5

The Latin phrase that means ‘it does not follow’ is:

3 points

Question 6

This may be the most well-known fallacy of presumption:

bifurcation

red-herring

begging the question

hasty generalization

3 points

Question 7

This fallacy is sometimes referred to as the false dilemma:

straw man

bifurcation

red herring

special pleading

3 points

Question 8

Identify the fallacy: The Bible says we should do to others what we would have them to do for us. Therefore I have no problem sharing the questions and answers of this quiz with another student.

special pleading

tu quogue

sweeping generalization

red herring

3 points

Question 9

“Begging the question” is a fallacy of presumption.
True

False

3 points

Question 10

Identify the fallacy: He's the third student I've caught cheating on the test. It just proves that you can't trust students these days.

hasty generalization

straw man

ad hominem

division

3 points

Question 11

Occam’s razor says:

the best explanation is usually philosophical

the best argument is usually comprehensive

the strongest argument is usually the positive/negative approach

the simplest explanation is usually the best

3 points

Question 12

The principle of simplicity says we should try to simplify complex arguments.
True

False

3 points

Question 13

A best explanation approach is often the best way to argue because many issues in philosophy do not have perfect solutions.
True

False

3 points

Question 14

Which of the following should we do first in our analysis of the ‘validity’ of an argument?

determine if these premises lead to this conclusion

determine if the premises are true

determine if there are any informal fallacies

determine if we agree with the conclusion before evaluating the validity or strength of the argument

3 points

Question 15

The term for beliefs relating together in a way that is mutually supportive:

consistency

coherence

comprehensive

constancy

3 points

Question 16

An inference drawn from statistical reasoning is deductive.
True

False

3 points

Question 17

In a deductive syllogism, if the premises are true and the conclusion is true, then the argument is valid.
True

False

3 points

Question 18

The formal procedure for writing out a deductive argument is called

an analogy

a syllogism

a hypothesis

a formulation

3 points

Question 19

Type of argument that begins with a problem with an unknown explanation, forms a theory and tests the theory.

deductive syllogism

probability calculus

hypothetical reasoning

statistical reasoning

3 points

Question 20

An argument may be evaluated as “true” or “false.”
True

False