Deck 8: Evaluating Analogical Arguments

Question 1

Which analogical argument is stronger?

A) Working as an intern at a law office requires problem solving. Lawyers, too, must solve problems. Therefore, since lawyers need good critical thinking skills, it's likely that interns at law offices need good critical thinking skills.
B) Working as an intern at a law office requires the ability to solve problems and the ability to defend your solutions to your colleagues. Lawyers, too, must have the ability to solve problems and the ability to defend their solutions to their colleagues. Therefore, since lawyers need good critical thinking skills, it's likely that interns at law offices need good critical thinking skills.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Some people claim that stretching before exercising is a waste of time. I disagree. No one has proven that's true.

Answer 2

This passage contains an argument. The issue is whether stretching before exercising is a waste of time. The conclusion is that stretching before exercising is not a waste of time. The premise is that no one have proven that stretching before exercising is a waste of time.
This passage commits the fallacy of appeal to ignorance. The burden of proof is shifted illegitimately to the opponent.

Question 3

The quick responses and fast thinking required for video game proficiency are like the responses and thinking required for flying a stealth fighter.

Answer 3

This passage contains neither an argument nor an explanation. The passage only contains one claim, and arguments and explanations each require a minimum of two claims.

Question 4

Which analogical argument is stronger?

A) Fire ants are extremely adaptive, so they are most likely difficult to eradicate with poisons. This is because termites are extremely adaptive, and they are difficult to eradicate with poisons.
B) Fire ants are extremely adaptive, so they are most likely difficult to eradicate with poisons. This is because termites, carpenter ants, and dung beetles are extremely adaptive, and all are difficult to eradicate with poisons.

Question 5

House cats are felines, and they love it when someone scratches their chin. Since Siberian tigers are also felines, they probably like having their chins scratched, too.

Question 6

Which analogical argument is stronger?

A) Walnuts, hickory nuts, and pecans are high in protein. Consequently, almonds are probably high in protein.
B) Walnuts are high in protein. Consequently, almonds are probably high in protein.

Question 7

Portugal is a lot like Spain. Since the decriminalization of drugs in Portugal has resulted in a decline of drug use among youth, the decriminalization of drugs in Spain will also decrease drug use among youth.

Question 8

Write a Complete Analysis plus Evaluation for each of the following passages.

-Start wearing your bicycle helmet! You would never consider riding in a car without a seatbelt, and riding a bicycle without a helmet is like riding in a car without a seatbelt. Both put your life a risk. Moreover, both are illegal.

Question 9

Which analogical argument is stronger?

A) Oman is a country in the middle east. Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia are also countries in the middle east. Since Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia are large oil producers, Oman is probably a large oil producer.
B) Oman is a country in the Middle East. Iran and Saudi Arabia are also countries in the Middle East. Since Iran and Saudi Arabia are large oil producers, Oman is probably a large oil producer.

Question 10

Write a Complete Analysis plus Evaluation for each of the following passages.

-All birds have feathers, and all Archaeopteryx dinosaurs have feathers. Therefore, amazingly, all Archaeopteryx dinosaurs are birds. What a concept!

Question 11

Write a Complete Analysis plus Evaluation for each of the following passages.

-Both physicians and school teachers can change people's entire lives. Given that teachers may be paid according to how well their students learn what is being taught, physicians may be paid according to how well their patients do after receiving treatment.

Question 12

Both North Dakota and South Dakota see a lot of snow in the winter. Since there are a lot of ski clubs in North Dakota, there are probably a lot of ski clubs in South Dakota, too.

Question 13

Which analogical argument is stronger?

A) Grease, oil, road tar, and paint thinner are all flammable. Thus paint thinner is a refined product since grease, oil, and road tar are refined products.
B) Grease, oil, and paint thinner are all flammable. Thus paint thinner is a refined product since grease and oil are refined products.

Question 14

The Crescent City School District has seen improved overall standardized test scores for Middle School students each year for the past five years. We thus have reason to believe, given the similarities between the Crescent City School District and the Windy City School District, that scores have improved in the Windy City School District as well.

Question 15

Octopus defend themselves by ejecting ink from their bodies. We can expect, then, that squid also defend themselves by ejecting ink from their bodies. After all, both octopus and squid are mollusks and have blue blood.