Exam 1: Basic Concepts

More than one argument can have the same form.

Use a counterexample to show that the following argument is invalid. (Remember, it is usually best to use terms-or statements-whose interrelations are well known.) "All zoologists are natural scientists. No historians are zoologists. So, no historians are natural scientists."

The conclusion of an unsound argument must be false.

If the following argument is an instance of one of the "famous" argument forms, name the form and indicate whether the form is valid or invalid; if the argument is NOT an instance of one of the "famous" forms, simply write "unnamed form." If Donald Duck is a vampire, then Donald Duck is dangerous. But, Donald Duck is not a vampire. So, Donald Duck is not dangerous.

The statement "Pat is a mother only if Pat is a woman" is a stylistic variant of which type of statement?

The conclusion of a valid argument may be false.

Any argument with a

Identify the following as valid, invalid, strong, or weak: "Peter has been at bat two times per game in each of the last ten games. He struck out every time he was at bat! So, he'll probably strike out the next time he's at bat."

All valid arguments have

If the following argument is an instance of one of the "famous" argument forms, name the form and indicate whether the form is valid or invalid; if the argument is NOT an instance of one of the "famous" forms, simply write "unnamed form." Canada does not directly control the governments of countries other than itself. But Canada directly controls the governments of countries other than itself if Canada is a neo-colonial power. Hence, Canada is not a neo-colonial power.