Question 1 

1. The three parts of an argument are      _____________, inference, and conclusion:

truth value

premises

deduction

reasoning

3 points

Question 2 

1. The law of excluded middle states

something cannot   both be and not be at the same time

the middle term   must be distributed in the premises at least once

something either is   or is not

something is what   it is

3 points

Question 3 

1. According to the reading, even God      cannot create a contradiction.

True

False

3 points

Question 4 

1. A mixed hypothetical syllogism in      which the premise denies the consequent is called:

Modus ponens

Categorical

Disjunctive

Modus tollens

3 points

Question 5 

1. The Latin phrase that means ‘it      does not follow’ is:

3 points

Question 6 

1. This may be the most well-known      fallacy of presumption:

bifurcation

red-herring

begging the question

hasty generalization

3 points

Question 7 

1. This fallacy is sometimes referred      to as the false dilemma:

straw man

bifurcation

red herring

special pleading

3 points

Question 8 

1. Identify the fallacy: The Bible      says we should do to others what we would have them to do for us.      Therefore I have no problem sharing the questions and answers of this quiz      with another student.

special pleading

tu quogue

sweeping   generalization

red herring

3 points

Question 9 

1. “Begging the question” is a      fallacy of presumption.

True

False

3 points

Question 10 

1. Identify the fallacy: He’s the      third student I’ve caught cheating on the test. It just proves that you      can’t trust students these days.

hasty   generalization

straw man

ad hominem

division

3 points

Question 11 

1. Occam’s razor says:

the best explanation is usually   philosophical

the best argument is usually   comprehensive

the strongest argument is usually the   positive/negative approach

the simplest explanation is usually   the best

3 points

Question 12 

1. The principle of simplicity says      we should try to simplify complex arguments.

True

False

3 points

Question 13 

1. A best explanation approach is      often the best way to argue because many issues in philosophy do not have      perfect solutions.

True

False

3 points

Question 14 

1. Which of the following should we      do first in our analysis of the ‘validity’ of an argument?

determine if these   premises lead to this conclusion

determine if the   premises are true

determine if there   are any informal fallacies

determine if we   agree with the conclusion before evaluating the validity or strength of the argument

3 points

Question 15 

1. The term for beliefs relating      together in a way that is mutually supportive:

consistency

coherence

comprehensive

constancy

3 points

Question 16 

1. An inference drawn from      statistical reasoning is deductive.

True

False

3 points

Question 17 

1. In a deductive syllogism, if the      premises are true and the conclusion is true, then the argument is valid.

True

False

3 points

Question 18 

1. The formal procedure for writing      out a deductive argument is called

an analogy

a syllogism

a hypothesis

a formulation

3 points

Question 19 

1. Type of argument that begins with      a problem with an unknown explanation, forms a theory and tests the      theory.

deductive syllogism

probability calculus

hypothetical reasoning

statistical reasoning

3 points

Question 20 

1. An argument may be evaluated as      “true” or “false.”

True

False