Exam 3: Logic and Language

The extension of a term is those properties something must have in order for the term to apply to it.

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. Members of Congress pretend to be hard workers who look after the welfare of the country. But they are found at their "clubs"' playing golf and tennis, or being lobbied in luxury at some sporting event. We should turn them all out and start with a new group.

A statement has emotive force when it conveys information.

All terms can be defined extensionally.

Using the six definitional criteria, evaluate the following: Noise is any unwanted noise.

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. Smith: I just found out that Walker is a vegetarian. She won't eat any red meat. Jones: No, she's not. I saw her eat a fish sandwich just yesterday!

Using the six definitional criteria, evaluate the following: An education is what you have left after you've forgotten everything you learned.

Using the six definitional criteria, evaluate the following: Honesty is the habitual absence of the intent to deceive.

The information that a sentence conveys is its

A definition is obscure when it is unclear because it doesn't convey the literal meaning of the concept, but only an analogy we have to interpret.

Using the six definitional criteria, evaluate the following: A widower is a male widow.

In "A puppy is a young dog," the word "puppy" is the

Using the six definitional criteria, evaluate the following: Sorrow is tranquility remembered in emotion. (Dorothy Parker)

Using the six definitional criteria, evaluate the following: A square is a closed-plane figure whose sides are all equal.

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. Sally: Ugh. That concert was awful! Joe: How can you say that?! I thought it was great! Sally: Are you kidding? My ears are ringing so loud I can hardly hear anything else! Joe: Yeah! Exactly! Wasn't it great?

In a definition by genus and difference, the difference indicates

When I define a word by pointing to the objects the word applies to (e.g., I point at Fido and say "Dog"), I am giving an ostensive definition.

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 civil laws of the United States protect only criminals, not law-abiding citizens. A major reform of these laws is called for to restore order to this great country of ours.

Write a well-crafted version of the following argument, identifying any equivocations or persuasive definitions: Reporters are snakes. They will lie, steal, and cheat to get information, and whoever will do that is a snake. Thus it is surprising that most courts of law include a court reporter as part of the court's personnel. To have a snake as a hired part of the court proceedings clearly undermines the pursuit of justice. Consequently, courts should start doing without court reporters.

Using the six definitional criteria, evaluate the following: A boat is something that keeps you afloat in water.