Question 1

The following argument is valid or forceful. Identify the irrelevant premise: We must abolish fighting in ice hockey. It's barbaric and not essential to the game. Fighting is also dangerous and leads to long term medical and psychological problems for ex-fighters. If part of a sport is dangerous and leads to long term problems for players, then it should be abolished.

Accepted Answer

A)   Fighting causes long term psychological problems for ex-fighters.
B)   If part of a sport is dangerous and leads to long term problems for players, then it should be abolished.
C)   Fighting is not essential to the game of ice hockey.
D)   Fighting is barbaric. D

Question 2

The following argument is valid or forceful. Identify the irrelevant premise: A monopsony (single buyer) in an electricity market has existed in each of Ontario, Canada and South Korea and in each case has kept prices low without any noticeable disasters occurring. Hence, the right wing complaints about the energy policy of Labour and the Greens is a childish exaggeration. We should know by now that a private market just doesn't work.

Accepted Answer

A)   Private markets in electricity generation do not work.
B)   Monopsonies in electricity markets have existed in Ontario, Canada and South Korea.
C)   While an electricity monopsony has been in place, prices have been kept down in both South Korea and Ontario.
D)   Right wing complaints about the energy policy of Labour and the Greens are childish exaggerations. A

Exam 5: The Practice of Argument-Reconstruction