Deck 3: Reality Assumptions

Question 1

When we build arguments on assumptions that are not guided in truth, our arguments are faulty, and the actions we recommend will not achieve our desired ends.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Modus Tollens is a type of enthymeme.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Deductive reasoning is structured in a way to provide certainty about what is true in a given situation.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Enthymemes are syllogisms with a premise implied rather than directly stated.

Question 5

An unquestioned premise is known as a contentious premise.

Question 6

The text indicates that prejudicial statements can involve:

A) deductive arguments that are untrue, even if logically valid.
B) sound deductive reasoning.
C) argument about premises rather than conclusions.
D) argument about conclusions rather than premises.
E) effective "quick thought" which allows us to comprehend the rush of information that comes our way.

Question 7

______ is defined as a form of classifying people, places, or things according to common traits.

A) Stereotyping
B) Team building
C) Differentiating
D) Communal practice

Question 8

A categorical statement is a _____.

A) statement that excludes members of a class from other classes
B) statement that includes members of one class in another class
C) statement that specifies reasons for classifying
D) statement that discourages the practice of grouping people into classes.

Question 9

______ involves finding truth by making observations.

A) Observation
B) Classification
C) Denotation
D) Inductive reasoning
E) Basic mindfulness

Question 10

Matching
Definitions-find the word below that best fits the definition.

-A deductive argument which follows the correct form and in which the premises are true.

A) Syllogism
B) Deductive reasoning
C) Valid argument
D) Sound argument
E) Reality assumption
F) Inductive reasoning

Question 11

Matching
Definitions-find the word below that best fits the definition.

-A deductive argument in the form of two premises and a conclusion.

A) Syllogism
B) Deductive reasoning
C) Valid argument
D) Sound argument
E) Reality assumption
F) Inductive reasoning

Question 12

Matching
Definitions-find the word below that best fits the definition.

-Assumptions about what is true and factual that are sometimes stated but often implied; these assumptions are often taken for granted.

A) Syllogism
B) Deductive reasoning
C) Valid argument
D) Sound argument
E) Reality assumption
F) Inductive reasoning

Question 13

Matching
Definitions-find the word below that best fits the definition.

-An argument that follows formal patterns of reasoning and is aimed at establishing the certainty of a conclusion through presenting true premises in a valid form.

A) Syllogism
B) Deductive reasoning
C) Valid argument
D) Sound argument
E) Reality assumption
F) Inductive reasoning

Question 14

Matching
Definitions-find the word below that best fits the definition.

-An argument structured in a correct deductive format; an argument structured in such a way that if its premises are true, then its conclusion must be true.

A) Syllogism
B) Deductive reasoning
C) Valid argument
D) Sound argument
E) Reality assumption
F) Inductive reasoning

Question 15

Matching
Definitions-find the word below that best fits the definition.

-The process of finding truth by making observations

A) Syllogism
B) Deductive reasoning
C) Valid argument
D) Sound argument
E) Reality assumption
F) Inductive reasoning

Question 16

Read the story, assuming the statements given are true. Then mark A for factual statements and B for inferences/assumptions.
A businessman had just turned off the lights in the store when a man appeared and demanded money. The owner opened a cash register. The contents of the cash register were scooped up and the man sped away.

-A man appeared after the owner had turned off his store lights.

A) factual statements
B) inferences/assumptions

Question 17

Read the story, assuming the statements given are true. Then mark A for factual statements and B for inferences/assumptions.
A businessman had just turned off the lights in the store when a man appeared and demanded money. The owner opened a cash register. The contents of the cash register were scooped up and the man sped away.

-The robber demanded money.

A) factual statements
B) inferences/assumptions

Question 18

Read the story, assuming the statements given are true. Then mark A for factual statements and B for inferences/assumptions.
A businessman had just turned off the lights in the store when a man appeared and demanded money. The owner opened a cash register. The contents of the cash register were scooped up and the man sped away.

-Someone opened a cash register.

A) factual statements
B) inferences/assumptions

Question 19

Read the story, assuming the statements given are true. Then mark A for factual statements and B for inferences/assumptions.
A businessman had just turned off the lights in the store when a man appeared and demanded money. The owner opened a cash register. The contents of the cash register were scooped up and the man sped away.

-After the man who demanded money scooped up the contents of the cash register, he sped away.

A) factual statements
B) inferences/assumptions

Question 20

Locating Assumptions. Decide whether the person making the statement is making that assumption. Write A if the assumption is being made, and write B if the assumption is not necessarily taken for granted.
El Sobrante is the place to live-it has the lowest crime rate.

-In deciding where to live, it is important to avoid high crime rates.

A) assumption is being made
B) assumption is not necessarily

Question 21

Locating Assumptions. Decide whether the person making the statement is making that assumption. Write A if the assumption is being made, and write B if the assumption is not necessarily taken for granted.
El Sobrante is the place to live-it has the lowest crime rate.

-The majority of the residents of El Sobrante are content with the present city government.

A) assumption is being made
B) assumption is not necessarily

Question 22

Locating Assumptions. Decide whether the person making the statement is making that assumption. Write A if the assumption is being made, and write B if the assumption is not necessarily taken for granted.
El Sobrante is the place to live-it has the lowest crime rate.

-Lower crime rates mean that the city council is efficient.

A) assumption is being made
B) assumption is not necessarily

Question 23

You should accept Ramon's proposal and get married this year; he has a good job and gets along well with people.
Write A if the assumption is being made, and write B if the assumption is not necessarily taken for granted

-Ramon comes from a great family.

A) assumption is being made
B) assumption is not necessarily

Question 24

You should accept Ramon's proposal and get married this year; he has a good job and gets along well with people.
Write A if the assumption is being made, and write B if the assumption is not necessarily taken for granted

-You are at an acceptable age to get married.

A) assumption is being made
B) assumption is not necessarily

Question 25

You should accept Ramon's proposal and get married this year; he has a good job and gets along well with people.
Write A if the assumption is being made, and write B if the assumption is not necessarily taken for granted

-People who have good jobs and get along with people are good people to marry.

A) assumption is being made
B) assumption is not necessarily

Question 26

You should accept Ramon's proposal and get married this year; he has a good job and gets along well with people.
Write A if the assumption is being made, and write B if the assumption is not necessarily taken for granted

-Ramon has a large and beautiful home.

A) assumption is being made
B) assumption is not necessarily

Question 27

What is a reality assumption? How does a reality assumption differ from a value assumption? Use an example in your explanation.

Question 28

Why do we need to identify assumptions in arguments?

Question 29

Write out implied reality assumptions for the following statements.
-My boyfriend doesn't seem too serious about our relationship. I've known him for three months and I still haven't met his parents.

Question 30

Write out implied reality assumptions for the following statements.
-The Culinary Arts department at our college is taking over the food service in the student cafeteria. I guess we can't afford to eat there anymore.

Question 31

Write out implied reality assumptions for the following statements.
-People who have worked their way up in the company make better business managers than people hired for their degrees. Decision-making skills are crucial to management jobs.

Question 32

Write out implied reality assumptions for the following statements.
-Of course I won't move to New York! I value my life too much!

Question 33

Consolidated Federal is the best bank! They've been around the longest.

Question 34

Burger Barn beats all the other restaurants. They have a croissant breakfast that can't be had in other restaurants.

Question 35

What is a syllogism? Explain, writing a valid syllogism as an example. Identify the three parts of the syllogism.

Question 36

Explain the term "enthymeme" using an example. You may create an enthymeme from the syllogism you wrote in the question above.

Question 37

What do we mean by the phrase "the premise of contention?"
Why is this an important concept for critical thinkers?

Question 38

Explain the concept of truth in deductive reasoning, using an example.

Question 39

What is a sound argument?

Question 40

Define syllogism. How is it helpful or hurtful to arguments?

Question 41

What is a reality assumptions and how does it differ from a value assumption?

Question 42

Following is a syllogism from Chapter 3.
All women are terrible drivers.
Lisa is a woman.
Therefore, Lisa is a terrible driver.
Discuss both the truth and the validity of the conclusion, explaining the basis for your analysis.