Exam 3: Logic and Language

The following argument involves the use of emotionally loaded language. Write a well-crafted version of the argument, replacing the emotionally loaded verbiage with more neutral language. The death penalty is a farce. After some vicious killer is convicted and sentenced to die, his case is automatically appealed. Appeal follows appeal, dragging on for decades. Usually these are subsidized by the very community that has been wronged in the form of supplying free lawyers or providing the convicted assassin time and resources to learn the legal loopholes that will prevent his execution.

When introducing a new word into our language, it is most appropriate to use which kind of definition?

Using the six definitional criteria, evaluate the following: The meaning of a word is what is explained by the explanation of the meaning. (Ludwig Wittgenstein, Philosophical Investigations)

Write a well-crafted version of the following argument, identifying any equivocations or persuasive definitions: Every action is the result of either physical forces or mental forces, or both. But physical forces are predetermined by the physical state of the world at a given moment and the laws of physics. If we knew enough about the state of things and physics, we should be able to predict future physical action. Similarly, mental forces are predetermined by the mental state of the universe at a given moment and the laws of psychology. If we knew enough about the mental states of minds, and enough psychology, we would be able to predict future mental force. All future forces are thus predictable, and thus so is all future action. Since predictability is just what one means by predestination, it follows that the future is predestined.

The definition "Love is never having to say you're sorry" is

Using the six definitional criteria, evaluate the following: A computer is a machine that makes computations at great speeds.

"The 'death penalty' is just state-sanctioned murder" is a

If a persuasive definition is employed in the following dialog, explain its weakness in terms of the six criteria for definitions; if it is instead a merely verbal dispute, identify the word or phrase that has a double meaning, and provide a definition for both meanings. Johnson: I support the death penalty. Smith: I'm opposed to the death penalty because it's just state-sanctioned murder.

Using the six definitional criteria, evaluate the following: Love is never having to say you're sorry.

Which of the following is a type of intensional definition?

A definition is too narrow if the definiens fails to apply to some objects in the extension of the definiendum.

Write a well-crafted version of the following argument, identifying any equivocations or persuasive definitions: People should have the liberty to do whatever they want with the things they have. It is wrong for society or governments to interfere with this personal autonomy. Now, parents have their children, and so it is wrong for others to interfere with parents treating their children however they want to.

The class of attorneys is a proper subclass of the class of lawyers.

When two or more people seem to disagree but an ambiguous word (or phrase) hides the fact that they actually agree, they are said to have

Using the six definitional criteria, evaluate the following: A boat is a hole in the water that you pour money into.

"'Furniture' means dressers, tables, beds, desks, and the like" is a

Using the six definitional criteria, evaluate the following: A horse is an animal that can be used for riding or pulling carts.

Using the six definitional criteria, evaluate the following: A chair is a moveable seat with a back and four legs.

A word is vague when

The set of things to which a word applies is called its