Instructions
Determine whether the arguments are deductive or inductive, then state what type of argument is used. (Write your answer beneath the question).
1. Because triangle A is congruent with triangle B, and triangle A is isosceles, it follows that triangle B is isosceles.
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Deductive. It is an arithmetics-based argument.
2. The plaque on the leaning tower of Pisa says that Galileo performed experiments there with falling objects. It must be the case that Galileo did indeed perform those experiments there.
Inductive. The type of argument is also based on signs.
3. The rainfall in Seattle has been more than 15 inches every year for the past thirty years. Therefore, the rainfall next year will probably be more than 15 inches.
Inductive. It is also a predictive argument.
4. No email messages are eloquent creations. Some love letters are eloquent creations. Therefore, some love letters are not email messages.
Deductive. The argument is a general categorical syllogism.
5. Amoco, Exxon, and Texaco are all listed on the New York Stock Exchange. It must be the case that all major American oil companies are listed on the NYSE.
Inductive. The argument is a generalization type.
6. The longer a pendulum is, the longer it takes to swing. Therefore, when the pendulum of a clock is lengthened, the clock slows down.
Deductive. It is also a conditional argument.
7. Paying off terrorists in exchange for hostages is not a wise policy, since such action will only lead them to take more hostages in the future.
Inductive. It a causal inference type of argument.
8. The Matterhorn is higher than Mount Whitney, and Mount Whitney is higher than Mount Rainier. The obvious conclusion is that the Matterhorn is higher than Mount Rainier.
Deductive. The argument is a type of pure hypothetical syllogism.
9. Although both front and rear doors were found open after the burglary, there were pry marks around the lock on the rear door and deposits of mud near the threshold. It must be the case that the thief entered through the rear door and left through the front.
Inductive. The type of argument is causal inference
10. Either classical culture originated in Greece, or it originated in Egypt. Classical culture did not originate in Egypt. Therefore, classical culture originated in Greece.
Deductive. The type of argument is disjunctive syllogism .
11. If Alexander the Great died from Typhoid fever, then he became infected in India. Alexander the Great did die from Typhoid fever. Therefore, he became infected in India.
Deductive. The type of argument is Conditional arguments—Modus Ponens
Instructions
Part 1: Deductive Arguments: State whether the argument is Valid/Invalid and Sound/Unsound. (Write your answer below the question).
1. Since Moby Dick was written by Shakespeare, and Moby Dick is a science fiction novel, it follows that Shakespeare wrote a science fiction novel.
Valid and Sound
2. The longest river in South America is the Amazon, and the Amazon flows through Brazil. Therefore, the longest river in South America flows through Brazil.
Valid and Sound
3. All leopards with lungs are carnivores. Therefore, all leopards are carnivores.
Invalid and unsound
4. Every province in Canada has exactly one city as its capital. Therefore, since there are thirty provinces in Canada, there are thirty provincial capitals.
Valid and unsound
5. Since some fruits are green, and some fruits are apples, it follows that some fruits are green apples. Valid and sound
Part 2: Inductive Arguments: State whether the argument is Strong/Weak and Cogent/Not cogent.
1. The grave marker at Arlington National Cemetery says that John F. Kennedy is buried there. It must be the case that Kennedy is buried in that cemetery.
Strong and cogent
2. Franklin Delano Roosevelt said that we have nothing to fear but fear itself. Therefore, women have no reason to fear serial rapists.
Weak and uncogent
3. People have been listening to rock and roll music for over a hundred years. Probably people will still be listening to it a year from now.
Strong and uncogent
4. Coca-Cola is an extremely popular soft drink. Therefore, probably someone, somewhere, is drinking Coke right this minute.
Strong and cogent
5. The African American athlete LaDainian Tomlinson is able to withstand tremendous impacts on the football field. However, Serena Williams, like LaDainian Tomlinson, is a great African American athlete. Therefore, Serena Williams should be able to withstand tremendous impacts on the football field.
Weak and uncogent
Part 3: Decide if the argument is inductive or deductive, then state whether it’s valid, sound, strong or cogent.
1. Since Agatha is the mother of Raquel and the sister of Tom, It follows that Tom is the uncle of Raquel.
Deductive; valid and sound
2. Since Christmas is always on a Thursday, It follows that the day after Christmas is always Friday. Deductive; valid and unsound
3. After taking LSD, Alice said she saw a flying saucer land in the shopping center parking lot. Since Alice has a reputation for always telling the truth, we must conclude that a flying saucer really did land there.
Inductive; weak and uncogent
4. Circle A has exactly twice the diameter of circle B. From this we may conclude that circle A has exactly twice the area of circle B.
Deductive and invalid.
5. This cash register drawer contains over 100 coins. Three coins selected at random were found to have dates earlier than 1945. Therefore, probably all of the coins in the drawer have dates earlier than 1945.
Inductive; weak and uncogent.
