Exam 10: Inductive Logic

Which of Mill's Methods is illustrated in the following passage? If, in your opinion, the conclusion reached indicates that an inadequate hypothesis was employed, explain why and formulate a better hypothesis. A criminologist hypothesized that the rate of unemployment is causally connected with the rate of violent crime. Observing that the crime rate increased as the level of unemployment increased and decreased as unemployment decreased, she concluded that the rate of violent crime in a community has a direct causal effect on the rate of unemployment.

Identify the hypothesis in the following argument; and, if it fails to meet the four criteria for good scientific hypotheses, state which criterion is violated, and explain your answer. A local refrigerator manufacturer has been experimenting with new designs for vegetable bins, suspecting that humidity level was a critical factor in the length of time vegetables stay fresh. The first design maintained a humidity level of 10 percent but the vegetables shriveled in a fairly short time. Another design maintained a humidity level of 60 percent but the vegetables began to rot in less than two days. The third design tested maintained a humidity level of 28 percent. The vegetables in this bin stayed fresh for five days, much longer than the industry standard of three days. The manufacturer concluded the experiments, satisfied that optimum humidity level is critical for maintaining the freshness of vegetables as long as possible.

Analyze the following argument in terms of the schema for arguments from analogy. Briefly state at least one criticism that calls the strength of the argument into question. The government ought not to regulate business, for just as the government does not regulate journalism because journalists have to use their minds and follow their own judgment in their work, so too do people in business have to use their minds and follow their own judgment in their work.

When one attempts to establish the cause of something by identifying a common factor in a range of cases, one is using the method of

When two or more authorities disagree on a point, we can avoid a fallacy of incomplete evidence by drawing on a wider range of reliable authorities.

Analyze the following argument in terms of the schema for arguments from analogy. Briefly state at least one criticism that calls the strength of the argument into question. Young people must prepare for marriage in the same way that they prepare to drive and to swim. Learning to swim and learning to drive require practice. No one can learn to drive unless he or she gets behind the wheel, and no one can learn to swim unless he or she gets into the water. Thus, the only way men and women can prepare for marriage is to live together and practice it.

A scientific hypothesis is confirmed when at least one of its implied consequences holds

Which of the following is the form of a statistical syllogism?

Testing a scientific hypothesis involves identifying the implications of the hypothesis and observing whether they occur.

A and ~A are exhaustive.

Indicate whether or not the following argument has the form of a statistical syllogism; and, if the argument contains information that suggests a possible fallacy of incomplete evidence, explain why. In 30 percent of all heterosexual married couples in the United States, the woman makes as much as or more than the man. So, I'll bet that means that Susan Sedgwill makes more money than her husband Tom Sedgwill.

Symbols list Where necessary, you may use the list below to copy-and-paste symbols into your answer. →;↔;•;~;⋁;\;≠;$;× Assume that P(A) = 3/5, P(B) = 3/10, P(C) = 7/10, P(D) = 4/5, and P(A/B) = 7/10. Assuming that C and D are independent, determine the following probability: P(C ⋁D)

Symbols list Where necessary, you may use the list below to copy-and-paste symbols into your answer. →;↔;•;~;⋁;\;≠;$;× You have an ordinary deck of cards. You draw one card, do not replace it, and then draw a second card. Each series of draws begins with a full deck. Assuming you are as likely to draw one card as another, find the following probability: P(drawing a jack • drawing a queen)

In an argument by analogy, the more relevant similarities between the objects being compared, the weaker the analogy.

Arguments from authority involve appeals to what kind of authority?

Some statistical syllogisms may be stronger than others.

Symbols list Where necessary, you may use the list below to copy-and-paste symbols into your answer. →;↔;•;~;⋁;\;≠;$;× Assume that P(A) = 3/5, P(B) = 3/10, P(C) = 7/10, P(D) = 4/5, and P(A/B) = 7/10. Assuming that C and D are independent, determine the following probability: P(~C)

Which of the following is not a requirement for an argument to be cogent?