Question 1

"This scientific theory is so solid that you can't even imagine it being false." This statement would likely be an example of the fallacy of
A) slippery slope.
B) impervious hypothesis.
C) provincialism.
D) appeal to ignorance.

Accepted Answer

The statement exemplifies the fallacy of an impervious hypothesis, which occurs when a theory is presented as being beyond challenge, in such a way that it cannot be disproven or questioned. This fallacy undermines the scientific method, which relies on the possibility of falsification and open inquiry.

Question 2

All human beings observed thus far have lived less than 20 years.
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The next human being observed will live less than 20 years.
The above argument is an example of
A) a strong inductive argument with a true premise.
B) a strong inductive argument with a false premise.
C) a weak inductive argument with a true premise.
D) a weak inductive argument with a false premise.

Accepted Answer

The premise that all human beings observed thus far have lived less than 20 years is false because there is ample evidence of people living beyond 20 years. The argument is inductive because it generalizes from observed cases to make a prediction about future cases, but it's considered strong in the context of its structure (assuming the premise were true), not in terms of its actual truth or the validity of its conclusion.

Question 3

"Since my sister has liked all the friends I've brought home so far, I imagine she will like my new friend, Ted, as well." This statement is most clearly an example of
A) hypothetical induction.
B) analogical induction.
C) inductive generalization.
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

The statement is an example of analogical induction because it draws a conclusion about a specific case (the sister liking the new friend, Ted) based on its similarity to past instances (the sister liking all previous friends).

Question 4

"Look before you leap, my friend. And remember, he who hesitates is lost." This statement exemplifies the fallacy of
A) begging the question.
B) inconsistency.
C) straw man.
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

The statement exemplifies the fallacy of inconsistency because it presents two contradictory pieces of advice: to look before you leap (suggesting caution) and that he who hesitates is lost (suggesting action without delay), thus being inconsistent with each other.

Question 5

Make up a page-length argument in which you commit at least five of the fallacies we've discussed.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Make up a page-length argument in which...

Question 6

Characterize the approaches to life of Skeptic, Caution, and Pilgrim in "Another Pilgrim's Progress." Explain which one is closest to your own approach and give some examples of your own thinking to illustrate.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Characterize the approaches to life of Skeptic,...

Question 7

"The world is nothing but your private dream." How would you argue against (or for) this claim?

Accepted Answer

The answer of "The world is nothing but your private...

Question 8

Think of some problem you tried to solve recently (finding something, fixing something, whatever).
a. Describe the reasoning process you went through.
b. Explain how your reasoning was inductive or deductive or some combination of both.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Think of some problem you tried to...

Question 9

"Of course I can't tell you what would disprove my hypothesis. After all, my hypothesis is true." What's wrong with this statement? Explain.

Accepted Answer

The answer of "Of course I can't tell you what...

Question 10

"But Caution, we don't know this isn't the right road. That ought to count for something." What fallacy does this statement exemplify? Explain.

Accepted Answer

The answer of "But Caution, we don't know this isn't...

Question 11

Either moral questions are like scientific questions or they're like questions of taste.
It's not the case that moral questions are like scientific questions.
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Moral questions are like questions of taste.
Symbolize the above argument and say whether it is valid or invalid. If it has a name, what is it?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Either moral questions are like scientific questions...

Question 12

"Deduction goes from the general to the particular; induction goes from the particular to the general." Explain why this statement is wrong and give examples to support your point. Give your own characterization of the difference between deduction and induction.

Accepted Answer

The answer of "Deduction goes from the general to the...

Quiz 1: Logic

"This scientific theory is so solid that you can't even imagine it being false." This statement would likely be an example of the fallacy of

All human beings observed thus far have lived less than 20 years. -------------- The next human being observed will live less than 20 years. The above argument is an example of

"Since my sister has liked all the friends I've brought home so far, I imagine she will like my new friend, Ted, as well." This statement is most clearly an example of

"Look before you leap, my friend. And remember, he who hesitates is lost." This statement exemplifies the fallacy of