Exam 1: Basic Concepts

In the expression "The moon sends forth light because it reflects light from the sun," the statement "The moon sends forth light" is called the:

Which of the following is a necessary condition for cooking an egg?

Since Greenville is one mile from Central City, and Central City is one mile from Harristown, it follows necessarily that Greenville is two miles from Harristown.

Of the more than 40 red wines imported from Australia, Green Valley, Old Châteaux, and Fireside Vineyards are excellent. Thus, it must be the case that all red wines imported from Australia are excellent.

An argument that concludes something is true because somebody has said so is:

Water is a highly reactive substance, quite different both physically and chemically from most other liquids. Indeed, life as we know it would be impossible if water did not have the properties it does. The first living systems presumably arose in the aqueous environment of shallow seas. It is therefore not surprising that the living organisms of the present are intimately adapted at the molecular level to the special properties of water. David Randall et al., Animal Physiology

Laura is the sister of either Rachel or Sandy, and Sandy is the sister of Beth. Therefore, it follows necessarily that Laura is the sister of Beth.

Native peoples, completely dependent on Mother Earth for everything in their lives, worshipped the Earth as a nurturing goddess that provided for all their needs. From the soil came plants and growing things that provided clothing and food. From the rivers and seas came fish and shellfish for food, trade articles, and tools. From the air came rain, snow, and wind to grow crops and alter the seasons. The Earth was never stagnant or dull, but always provided for those in her care. Linda Williams, Earth Science Demystified

Natalie is a kleptomaniac. Therefore, she has a compulsion to steal things.

Which of the following are all arguments?

The chief of the fire department issued a report stating that residential fires are down slightly from the prior year. Thus, it must be the case that residential fires are slightly down this year.

Some statements about the human condition are commercial failures, since some novels are commercial failures, and some novels are statements about the human condition.

In the expression, "Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize because he was perceived as being committed to the resolution of international conflicts through diplomacy and not warfare," the statement "Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize" is called the:

Given circle A inscribed in square B. It follows that the area of B is greater than the area of A.

If the trade in tiger products is banned, tiger reserves are guarded by well equipped staff, communities abutting tiger habitat are given a stake in protecting tigers, and the makers of traditional medicines can be persuaded that tiger parts are not needed, then tiger poaching will be halted, habitat and life sustaining prey will be restored, and the immanent extinction of tigers in the wild will be averted.

There are numerous ways to study nonhuman animals. One method is to observe a group and describe (either by taking notes or speaking into a tape recorder) as completely as possible everything that occurs. Another technique is to "follow" one "focal" animal, describing everything it does. Still another frequently used method involves making observations of a focal animal at precise intervals. Robert Jurmain, et al., Essentials of Physical Anthropology, 5^th edition

Since Gina and Tom have the same natural parents, it follows that they are siblings.

If a deductive argument has all false premises and a true conclusion, then we know:

If people are not informed about the workings of government, then they cannot vote intelligently. People cannot vote intelligently. Therefore, people are not informed about the workings of government.

After hearing Jordan's speech in the student council, Michael rolled his eyes and shook his head. Apparently Michael didn't agree with what Jordan said.