Which of the following is a deductively valid pattern of reasoning and used widely in scientific reasoning as a way of disconfirming, or falsifying, scientific hypotheses?
A) denying the antecedent
B) modus ponens
C) modus tollens
D) affirming the consequent

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Modus tollens is a deductively valid pattern of reasoning often used in scientific reasoning to falsify hypotheses. It follows the form: If P then Q, Not Q, therefore Not P. This allows scientists to disconfirm hypotheses by showing that if the hypothesis were true, a certain consequence would follow, and since that consequence does not occur, the hypothesis is not true.

Which of the Following Is a Deductively Valid Pattern of Reasoning