Exam 3: Basic Logical Concepts

Which of the following statements is true about deductive reasoning?

A cogent argument may have a probably false conclusion.

Arguments based on mathematics are always inductive.

Some inductive arguments are stronger than others.

A strong argument necessarily has _____.

The argument "No rappers are opera singers; no opera singers are professional wrestlers; so, no rappers are professional wrestlers" is an example of _____.

A chain argument is a type of hypothetical syllogism.

In an "argument from definition," the conclusion is presented as being true by definition.

Modus ponens is a logically reliable pattern of reasoning.

Arguments that try to prove their conclusions with rigorous, inescapable logic are _____ arguments.

"On Monday, Regina went to Kentucky Fried Chicken for lunch. On Wednesday, she went to Burger King for lunch. On Thursday, she went to the Hungry Heifer Steakhouse for lunch. So, Regina is probably not a vegetarian." This illustrates a(n) _____.

An "argument from authority" asserts a claim and then supports that claim by citing some presumed authority or witness who has said that the claim is true.

The following example is a hypothetical syllogism: "No dogs are reptiles. Some dogs are German Shepherds. So, no German Shepherds are reptiles."

A syllogism is an argument that consists of exactly two premises and a conclusion.

A deductive argument whose premises are all true but the conclusion is false is most likely _____.

An argument in which the conclusion follows necessarily from the premises is a(n) _____.

All cogent arguments _____.

The argument "If Denise plays first base, then Laura plays shortstop; if Laura plays shortstop, then Tess plays catcher; so, if Denise plays first base, then Tess plays catcher" is a(n) _____.

The argument "Either I can fix you the same old potatoes or I can fix you some delicious fried okra; I know you don't want to have the same old potatoes; so, I'll fix you some delicious fried okra" is an example of _____.

If an arguer precedes his or her conclusion with the phrase "it must be the case that," then the argument is definitely deductive.