For the 4 arguments shown below, proceed as follows:
Break down the argument. Explicitly identify the component statements (p, q, r, etc.) that make up the argument and show the symbolic form of the argument.
Analyze the argument. Decide whether the argument is valid or invalid by manipulating the premises, if necessary, and eventually recognizing the logical form of the argument (e.g. Modus Ponens, Modus Tollens, Fallacy of the Inverse, etc.)
SHOW ALL YOUR WORK CLEARLY TO RECEIVE MAXIMUM CREDIT.
1. If we evolved a race of pure logicians, that would not be progress; but we have not evolved a race of pure logicians; so that's progress.
2. Homer is a visionary or hes a fool; but hes certainly a fool; so he's not a visionary.
3 If the fossil is an ammonite, then it is from the Crestaceous period. If the fossil is not from the Mesozoic era, then it is not from the Crestaceous period. If the fossil is from the Mesozoic era, then it is at least 65 million years old. Therefore, if the fossil is an ammonite, it is at least 65 million years old.
4. This absurd argument is taken from Lewis Carroll's Symbolic Logic (1896):
Babies are illogical. Nobody is despised who can manage a crocodile. Illogical persons are despised. Hence, babies cannot manage crocodiles.
For the 4 arguments shown below, proceed as follows:
Break down the argument. Explicitly identify the component statements (p, q, r, etc.) that make up the argument and show the symbolic form of the argument.
Analyze the argument. Decide whether the argument is valid or invalid by manipulating the premises, if necessary, and eventually recognizing the logical form of the argument (e.g. Modus Ponens, Modus Tollens, Fallacy of the Inverse, etc.)
SHOW ALL YOUR WORK CLEARLY TO RECEIVE MAXIMUM CREDIT.
1. If we evolved a race of pure logicians, that would not be progress; but we have not evolved a race of pure logicians; so that's progress.
2. Homer is a visionary or hes a fool; but hes certainly a fool; so he's not a visionary.
3 If the fossil is an ammonite, then it is from the Crestaceous period. If the fossil is not from the Mesozoic era, then it is not from the Crestaceous period. If the fossil is from the Mesozoic era, then it is at least 65 million years old. Therefore, if the fossil is an ammonite, it is at least 65 million years old.
4. This absurd argument is taken from Lewis Carroll's Symbolic Logic (1896):
Babies are illogical. Nobody is despised who can manage a crocodile. Illogical persons are despised. Hence, babies cannot manage crocodiles.
