The following passage contains an argument with an implicit premise and/or conclusion. Identify the best standard-form representation of the argument.
The passage: God's commanding something is not what makes it right or wrong. If it were, then it would be right to torture a baby for fun if God had commanded us to do that.
A) 1) If God's commanding something was what makes things right or wrong, then it would be right to torture a baby for fun if God had commanded us to do that.
2) It would not be right to torture a baby for fun if God had commanded us to do that.
So, God's commanding something is not what makes it right or wrong.
B) 1) God commanded us to torture babies for fun.
2) If God's commanding something is what makes it right or wrong, then it would be right to torture a baby for fun if God had commanded us to do that.
So, it's right to torture babies for fun.
C) 1) God's commanding something is not what makes it right or wrong.
2) Torturing babies for fun is wrong regardless of whether God commands it. So, God does not exist.
D) 1) God's commanding something is not what makes it right or wrong.
2) If it were, then it would be right to torture a baby for fun if God had commanded us to do that.
So, it's wrong to torture a baby for fun.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The argument is structured as a modus tollens: If P, then Q. Not Q, therefore not P. Here, P is "God's commanding something is what makes it right or wrong," and Q is "it would be right to torture a baby for fun if God had commanded us to do that." The passage denies Q, leading to the conclusion that not P.

The Following Passage Contains an Argument with an Implicit Premise