Chapter 7 - The Anatomy and Varieties of Arguments



Chapter 7 - The Anatomy and Varieties of Arguments

Argument Quiz I

Results Reporter

Out of 3 questions, you answered 3 correctly with a final grade of 100%

3 correct (100%)

0 incorrect (0%)

0 unanswered (0%)

Your Results:

The correct answer for each question is indicated by a .

1 CORRECT

An argument comprises at least which of the following?

A)

At least two premises and a conclusion.

B)

At least one premise and one conclusion.

C)

At least a conclusion.

D)

At least a premise.

Feedback: This is the composition of an argument, by definition.

2 CORRECT

Which of the following is most accurate?

A)

An argument may have either an implied premise or an implied conclusion.

B)

An argument may have an implied premise, but it can't have an implied conclusion.

C)

An argument may have an implied conclusion, but it can't have an implied premise.

Feedback: Sometimes, to save time and energy, we don't bother saying what is obvious, e.g. 'You could get hurt if you do that. So, don't do that!' contains the implied second premise, 'And, you don't want to get hurt.', also, e.g. 'You could get hurt if you do that. And, you don't want to get hurt." contains the implied conclusion, 'So don't do that!'

3 CORRECT

When evaluating an argument with unstated premises, which of the following is the most appropriate tactic?

A)

Find a claim that would make the argument invalid or weak and evaluate the argument as if this claim had been included.

B)

Don't add anything. If the arguer had wanted a claim to be included, they would have included it. Evaluate the argument as it stands.

C)

Find a claim that would make the argument valid or strong and evaluate the argument as if this claim had been included.

Feedback: Since communication is often so difficult between people, it's good to use the 'principle of charity'--give the argument the best 'read'.

Deductive/Inductive Logic Quiz

Results Reporter

Out of 3 questions, you answered 3 correctly with a final grade of 100%

3 correct (100%)

0 incorrect (0%)

0 unanswered (0%)

Your Results:

The correct answer for each question is indicated by a .

1 CORRECT

Which of the following types of arguments are evaluated with the terms valid and invalid?

A)

Inductive

B)

Deductive

Feedback: Validity pertains to the structure, or 'shape', of the argument.

2 CORRECT

Which of the following types of arguments are evaluated with the terms strong and weak?

A)

Deductive

B)

Inductive

Feedback: Some inductive arguments are stronger than others. The stronger it is, the more probable the conclusion is.

3 CORRECT

Which of the following types of arguments are evaluated with the terms sound and unsound?

A)

Inductive

B)

Deductive

Feedback:

Soundness pertains to the content of the valid argument--what it is about.

Unstated Premises Quiz

Results Reporter

Out of 8 questions, you answered 5 correctly with a final grade of 63%

5 correct (63%)

2 incorrect (25%)

1 unanswered (13%)

Your Results:

The correct answer for each question is indicated by a .

1 CORRECT

When evaluating an argument, one should always take into consideration the existence and merit of any unstated premises.

A)

True

B)

False

Feedback: Two good questions to ask when evaluating an argument are: "Is there a reasonable assumption I could make that would make this argument valid?", or, "Is there a reasonable assumption I could make that ...