Question 1

Explain what an "ad hominem attack" is and why strong critical thinkers reject this tactic as a demonstration that a person's argument is unacceptable.

Accepted Answer

The short response is that arguments are to be judged on their own merits, not on the merits of their producers. To amplify that, it is simply false to assume that because the person making the argument is deficient in some real or imagined way, the person's argument, work product, or views should not be accepted on their own merits. Ad hominem is Latin for "against the person" and it expresses the error this fallacy makes, which is to claim that a person's ideas must be tainted because the person has some vice or flaw. The opposite would be equally fallacious, which is to assume that because the person making the argument is virtuous the argument must be good, too. Strong critical thinking no more obliges us to reject every argument made by a convicted felon or an intentionally incendiary radio talk-show host than to accept every argument made by a beneficent Pope or a peace loving Dalai Lama.

Question 2

Fallacies are deceptive arguments that appear logical and seem at times to be persuasive, but, upon closer analysis, fail to demonstrate their conclusions.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 3

Chris wants to correctly apply the four tests to evaluate an argument. First Chris checks the facts and learns that the premises are all true. The next step is to __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  provide multiple reasons to support the claim being advanced 
B)  contact an expert to ask the expert to confirm or to disconfirm the conclusion 
C)  figure out if the reason(s) given are relevant to the truth of the conclusion 
D)  see if the claim forms part of the basis for accepting the truth of any of the premises 
E)  try to imagine a situation in which all of the premises are true, but the conclusion is false 
A)  provide multiple reasons to support the claim being advanced 
B)  contact an expert to ask the expert to confirm or to disconfirm the conclusion 
C)  figure out if the reason(s) given are relevant to the truth of the conclusion 
D)  see if the claim forms part of the basis for accepting the truth of any of the premises 
E)  try to imagine a situation in which all of the premises are true, but the conclusion is false E

Question 4

Is the following argument worthy of acceptance? "In a perfect world, the government should investigate whether any laws were broken relating to the treatment of wartime detainees. But this is not a perfect world. So, it would be a mistake for the government to engage in such an investigation.

Accepted Answer

A)  Yes, because the premises are true. 
B)  Yes, because the argument is sound. 
C)  Yes, because it passes all four tests. 
D)  No, because the reason is irrelevant. 
E)  No, because the argument is circular. 
A)  Yes, because the premises are true. 
B)  Yes, because the argument is sound. 
C)  Yes, because it passes all four tests. 
D)  No, because the reason is irrelevant. 
E)  No, because the argument is circular.

Question 5

Is this argument worthy of acceptance, and if not, what is wrong with it? "To many around the world, the Statue of Liberty symbolizes the welcome our nation extends to all freedom loving people. So, as the great Yogi Berra says, "You can observe a lot just by watching."

Accepted Answer

No. The reason given

Question 6

Is the following argument sound? "Not every argument is of equal quality. Therefore, at least one argument is better than at least one other argument."

Accepted Answer

A)  Yes, because the premise is true and the argument is not circular. 
B)  Yes, because the premise is true and it implies the conclusion. 
C)  No, because the premise is true but it is not relevant. 
D)  No, because the premise is false. 
E)  No, because there is the possibility that the premise could be true but the conclusion false. 
A)  Yes, because the premise is true and the argument is not circular. 
B)  Yes, because the premise is true and it implies the conclusion. 
C)  No, because the premise is true but it is not relevant. 
D)  No, because the premise is false. 
E)  No, because there is the possibility that the premise could be true but the conclusion false.

Question 7

The book warns that underestimating one's opponent in a debate or dispute can backfire. What reasons support this claim?

Accepted Answer

One reason is that listeners can be alie

Question 8

Chris gives you two reasons to support an implausible claim. One reason turns out to be irrelevant. As a strong critical thinker, what should you do?

Accepted Answer

A)  Help Chris by making up another reason to support that claim. 
B)  Dismiss the second reason because the first was false. 
C)  Stop trusting anything Chris says. 
D)  Test the second reason. 
E)  Take Chris' claim on faith. 
A)  Help Chris by making up another reason to support that claim. 
B)  Dismiss the second reason because the first was false. 
C)  Stop trusting anything Chris says. 
D)  Test the second reason. 
E)  Take Chris' claim on faith.

Question 9

It happens that a conclusion might be true independent of whether the premises are true or whether the premises logically support that conclusion; because this is so the practice of argument making also presume that __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  the premises are inconsistent with one another 
B)  the claim is true no matter what the premises say 
C)  the listener and the speaker agree on all the key points 
D)  the truth of the reason is relevant to establishing the truth of claim 
A)  the premises are inconsistent with one another 
B)  the claim is true no matter what the premises say 
C)  the listener and the speaker agree on all the key points 
D)  the truth of the reason is relevant to establishing the truth of claim

Question 10

Suppose our community had the problem of deciding what to believe or what to do with regard to an important issue. And suppose we did not have the practice of reason giving and argument making. Name a method our community might be likely to use in that situation.

Accepted Answer

Accepting on faith t

Question 11

Chris is a master of confronting people with whom he disagrees. One of his favorite techniques is to pick the weakest of his opponent's reasons and then to refute it. He thinks that by doing that he has shown that his opponent's claims are mistaken. By using this tactic Chris is actually engaging in __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  an appeal to emotion 
B)  a straw man fallacy 
C)  the bandwagon fallacy 
D)  circular reasoning 
E)  an ad hominem attack 
A)  an appeal to emotion 
B)  a straw man fallacy 
C)  the bandwagon fallacy 
D)  circular reasoning 
E)  an ad hominem attack

Question 12

What are fallacious arguments?

Accepted Answer

Fallacies are deceptive argume

Question 13

Argument making in real world situations is essentially a one-way street. The reason is used to establish the acceptability of the claim. This practice presumes that the speaker is not then __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  mistrustful of the listener's ability to understand 
B)  using the claim as a basis for the reason 
C)  questioning the privacy and security of the communication 
D)  concealing anything from the listener 
A)  mistrustful of the listener's ability to understand 
B)  using the claim as a basis for the reason 
C)  questioning the privacy and security of the communication 
D)  concealing anything from the listener

Question 14

When Chris learned that his friend, who is also a manager, like Chris, has been sentenced to prison for stealing from their employer, Chris told his friend, "Everyone who is in prison can still be free, for true freedom is the knowledge of one's situation. The more one knows about one's self, the more one is truly free." By making this argument Chris is actually engaging in __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  an appeal to emotion fallacy 
B)  an ad hominem attack 
C)  the bandwagon fallacy 
D)  circular reasoning 
E)  a playing with words fallacy 
A)  an appeal to emotion fallacy 
B)  an ad hominem attack 
C)  the bandwagon fallacy 
D)  circular reasoning 
E)  a playing with words fallacy

Question 15

Given a reason offered in support of a claim, these are the four conditions that must be met for that argument to be considered worthy of acceptance. In order of their application, the fourth condition is:

Accepted Answer

The flow of the reas

Question 16

The _______ test condition that an argument must meet in order to be considered worthy of acceptance is that the reason is true in each of its premises, explicit and implicit.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The _______ test condition that an argument...

Question 17

Consider the negative evaluative adjectives: "False, Improbable, Self-Contradictory, Fanciful, Fabricated, Vague, Ambiguous, Nonsensical, and Unknowable." The adjectives in that list typically best apply to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  premises 
B)  reasons 
C)  claims/conclusions 
D)  arguments 
E)  argument makers 
A)  premises 
B)  reasons 
C)  claims/conclusions 
D)  arguments 
E)  argument makers

Question 18

Chris, a master at office gossip and innuendo, says, "We know we have a corporate spy someplace in the organization, probably on the management team itself. There is no evidence that it is Audrey. In fact, she's too clean, if you know what I mean. Somebody should fire Audrey; she's got to be the spy." By making this argument Chris is actually engaging in __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  an appeal to emotion fallacy 
B)  a straw man fallacy 
C)  an appeal to ignorance fallacy 
D)  circular reasoning 
E)  an appeal to the mob fallacy 
A)  an appeal to emotion fallacy 
B)  a straw man fallacy 
C)  an appeal to ignorance fallacy 
D)  circular reasoning 
E)  an appeal to the mob fallacy

Question 19

Consider the negative evaluative adjectives: "Unworthy, Poor, Unacceptable, Unsound, Fallacious, Illogical, Incomplete, Unreasonable, Bad, and Circular." The adjectives in that list typically apply to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  premises 
B)  reasons 
C)  claims/conclusions 
D)  arguments 
E)  argument makers 
A)  premises 
B)  reasons 
C)  claims/conclusions 
D)  arguments 
E)  argument makers

Question 20

The book offers long lists of evaluative adjectives that can be applied to premises, reasons, claims, and arguments. Why so many possible evaluative terms?

Accepted Answer

Good arguments-subtle and yet effective

Explain what an "ad hominem attack" is and why strong critical thinkers reject this tactic as a demonstration that a person's argument is unacceptable.

Fallacies are deceptive arguments that appear logical and seem at times to be persuasive, but, upon closer analysis, fail to demonstrate their conclusions.

Chris wants to correctly apply the four tests to evaluate an argument. First Chris checks the facts and learns that the premises are all true. The next step is to __________.

Is the following argument worthy of acceptance? "In a perfect world, the government should investigate whether any laws were broken relating to the treatment of wartime detainees. But this is not a perfect world. So, it would be a mistake for the government to engage in such an investigation.

Is this argument worthy of acceptance, and if not, what is wrong with it? "To many around the world, the Statue of Liberty symbolizes the welcome our nation extends to all freedom loving people. So, as the great Yogi Berra says, "You can observe a lot just by watching."

Is the following argument sound? "Not every argument is of equal quality. Therefore, at least one argument is better than at least one other argument."

The book warns that underestimating one's opponent in a debate or dispute can backfire. What reasons support this claim?

Chris gives you two reasons to support an implausible claim. One reason turns out to be irrelevant. As a strong critical thinker, what should you do?

It happens that a conclusion might be true independent of whether the premises are true or whether the premises logically support that conclusion; because this is so the practice of argument making also presume that __________.

Suppose our community had the problem of deciding what to believe or what to do with regard to an important issue. And suppose we did not have the practice of reason giving and argument making. Name a method our community might be likely to use in that situation.

What are fallacious arguments?

Argument making in real world situations is essentially a one-way street. The reason is used to establish the acceptability of the claim. This practice presumes that the speaker is not then __________.

Given a reason offered in support of a claim, these are the four conditions that must be met for that argument to be considered worthy of acceptance. In order of their application, the fourth condition is:

The _______ test condition that an argument must meet in order to be considered worthy of acceptance is that the reason is true in each of its premises, explicit and implicit.

Consider the negative evaluative adjectives: "False, Improbable, Self-Contradictory, Fanciful, Fabricated, Vague, Ambiguous, Nonsensical, and Unknowable." The adjectives in that list typically best apply to which of the following?

Consider the negative evaluative adjectives: "Unworthy, Poor, Unacceptable, Unsound, Fallacious, Illogical, Incomplete, Unreasonable, Bad, and Circular." The adjectives in that list typically apply to which of the following?

The book offers long lists of evaluative adjectives that can be applied to premises, reasons, claims, and arguments. Why so many possible evaluative terms?

The Power of Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking Mindset and Skills

Solve Problems and Succeed in College

Clarify Ideas and Concepts

Analyze Arguments and Diagram Decisions

Evaluate the Credibility of Claims and Sources

Valid Inferences

Warranted Inferences

Snap Judgments:risks and Benefits of Heuristic Thinking

Reflective Decision Making

Comparative Reasoning

Ideological Reasoning

Empirical Reasoning

Write Sound and Effective Arguments

Ethical Decision Making

The Logic of Declarative Statements

Critical Thinking in the Social Sciences

Critical Thinking in the Natural Sciences

Filters

Exam 7: Evaluate Arguments: Four Basic Tests

Explain what an "ad hominem attack" is and why strong critical thinkers reject this tactic as a demonstration that a person's argument is unacceptable.

Fallacies are deceptive arguments that appear logical and seem at times to be persuasive, but, upon closer analysis, fail to demonstrate their conclusions.

Chris wants to correctly apply the four tests to evaluate an argument. First Chris checks the facts and learns that the premises are all true. The next step is to __________.

Is the following argument worthy of acceptance? "In a perfect world, the government should investigate whether any laws were broken relating to the treatment of wartime detainees. But this is not a perfect world. So, it would be a mistake for the government to engage in such an investigation.

Is this argument worthy of acceptance, and if not, what is wrong with it? "To many around the world, the Statue of Liberty symbolizes the welcome our nation extends to all freedom loving people. So, as the great Yogi Berra says, "You can observe a lot just by watching."

Is the following argument sound? "Not every argument is of equal quality. Therefore, at least one argument is better than at least one other argument."

The book warns that underestimating one's opponent in a debate or dispute can backfire. What reasons support this claim?

Chris gives you two reasons to support an implausible claim. One reason turns out to be irrelevant. As a strong critical thinker, what should you do?

It happens that a conclusion might be true independent of whether the premises are true or whether the premises logically support that conclusion; because this is so the practice of argument making also presume that __________.

Suppose our community had the problem of deciding what to believe or what to do with regard to an important issue. And suppose we did not have the practice of reason giving and argument making. Name a method our community might be likely to use in that situation.

What are fallacious arguments?

Argument making in real world situations is essentially a one-way street. The reason is used to establish the acceptability of the claim. This practice presumes that the speaker is not then __________.

Given a reason offered in support of a claim, these are the four conditions that must be met for that argument to be considered worthy of acceptance. In order of their application, the fourth condition is:

The _______ test condition that an argument must meet in order to be considered worthy of acceptance is that the reason is true in each of its premises, explicit and implicit.

Consider the negative evaluative adjectives: "False, Improbable, Self-Contradictory, Fanciful, Fabricated, Vague, Ambiguous, Nonsensical, and Unknowable." The adjectives in that list typically best apply to which of the following?

Consider the negative evaluative adjectives: "Unworthy, Poor, Unacceptable, Unsound, Fallacious, Illogical, Incomplete, Unreasonable, Bad, and Circular." The adjectives in that list typically apply to which of the following?

The book offers long lists of evaluative adjectives that can be applied to premises, reasons, claims, and arguments. Why so many possible evaluative terms?

The Power of Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking Mindset and Skills

Solve Problems and Succeed in College

Clarify Ideas and Concepts

Analyze Arguments and Diagram Decisions

Evaluate the Credibility of Claims and Sources

Valid Inferences

Warranted Inferences

Snap Judgments:risks and Benefits of Heuristic Thinking

Reflective Decision Making

Comparative Reasoning

Ideological Reasoning

Empirical Reasoning

Write Sound and Effective Arguments

Ethical Decision Making

The Logic of Declarative Statements

Critical Thinking in the Social Sciences

Critical Thinking in the Natural Sciences

Filters