·
Application: Introduction to Logic
Philosophers support their
positions and beliefs with arguments. When you support a position or defend a
belief, you are making an argument. Logic is one of the central branches of
philosophy that investigates the correct principles of formal reasoning. The
ability to defend a position or belief is the most basic philosophical
activity. Possessing the skills to defend a position or belief is what
separates thinking philosophically from simply having an opinion. In this
Application Assignment you will practice how to solve logic problems and
explore your logical thinking. Good philosophizing requires the ability to
reason effectively, defend positions and beliefs, and rebut rebuttals.
Questions about this assignment? Post them in the Contact the Instructor area. That way, everyone in the class will see, and benefit from, the instructor's response.
To prepare for this Application:
Questions about this assignment? Post them in the Contact the Instructor area. That way, everyone in the class will see, and benefit from, the instructor's response.
To prepare for this Application:
·
Review pp. 15–25 and pp. 385–389 in your course text The Big
Questions: A Short Introduction to Philosophy on logic.
·
Review pp. 15–27 in your course text The Philosopher's Way:
Thinking Critically About Profound Ideas.
·
Review the "An Introduction to Logic" document located
in this week's Learning Resources.
·
Consider how the ability to think logically can assist you in your
daily life.
The assignment:
·
Complete the Logic Pretest located in this
week's Learning Resources.
·
Write a 1- to 2-page paper in which you answer
the following questions:
·
o Why do you think logic is
important?
o What is your process of logic?
Before you tried to complete these logic exercises, what was your view of
logic?
o How comfortable are you with
using logic?
o In what areas of your life will
you be able to utilize this new or improved skill?
Logic Pretest
1. Some
cave dwellers use fire.
Anyone using fire has intelligence
Therefore
(A.) All
cave dwellers have intelligence.
(B.) All
who have intelligence use fire.
(C.) Some
cave dwellers have intelligence.
(D.) None
of the above.
2. If
you overslept, you’ll be late
You aren’t late.
Therefore
(A.) You
did oversleep.
(B.) You
didn’t oversleep.
(C.) You’re
late.
(D.) None
of the above.
3. Anyone
held for murder can be denied bail.
Jones isn’t held for murder.
Therefore
(A.) Jones
can be denied bail.
(B.) Jones
can’t be denied bail.
(C.) Jones
is innocent.
(D.) None
of the above.
4. No
court that suppresses evidence is impartial.
Some courts subject to political pressure
suppress evidence.
Therefore
(A.) Some
courts subject to political pressure aren’t impartial.
(B.) No
courts subject to political pressure are impartial.
(C.) Some
courts subject to political pressure are impartial.
(D.) None
of the above.
5. If
you overslept, you’ll be late.
You didn’t oversleep.
Therefore
(A.) You’re
late.
(B.) You
aren’t late.
(C.) You
did oversleep.
(D.) None
of the above.
6. Every
revolution is a trade disruption.
Some trade disruptions cause financial
anxiety.
Therefore
(A.) Some
revolutions cause financial anxiety.
(B.) Some
revolutions don’t cause financial anxiety.
(C.) All
trade disruptions cause financial anxiety.
(D.) None
of the above.
7. Anyone
who has just lost a lot of blood is likely to faint.
No one who is likely to faint is a safe
aircraft pilot.
Therefore
(A.) Everyone
who has just lost a lot of blood is a safe aircraft pilot.
(B.) No
one who has just lost a lot of blood is a safe aircraft pilot.
(C.) All
safe aircraft pilots have just lost a lot of blood.
(D.) None
of the above.
8. If
there is knowledge, then either there is an endless reasoning chain proving
every premise by a prior proof, or else some things are known without
proof.
There is no endless reasoning chain proving
every premise by a prior proof.
Therefore
(A.) Everything
that is known is provable.
(B.) There
is no knowledge.
(C.) Some
things are known without proof.
(D.) None
of the above.
9. No
person desiring to help others is reluctant to make sacrifices.
Some masochists aren’t reluctant to make
sacrifices.
Therefore
(A.) Some
masochists desire to help others.
(B.) Some
masochists don’t desire to help others.
(C.) All
masochists desire to help others.
(D.) None
of the above.
10. Only
language users employ generalizations.
Not a single animal uses language.
At least some animals reason.
Therefore
(A.) Not
all reasoning beings employ generalizations.
(B.) Only
reasoning beings employ generalizations.
(C.) No
reasoning beings employ generalizations.
(D.) None
of the above.
Answers to Logic Pre-Test
1. C
2. B
3. D
4. A
5. D
6. D
7. B
8. C
9. D
10. A
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