to Solutions Practice Test # 1, Philosophy 180 Lecturer: Dr. Brian MacPherson
February 16, 2009
Instructions: The midterm on February 18 will be similar in length, format and level of difficulty to the practice testThe test, like the practice test, will be out of a possible score of 40. 1. For the following deductive arguments, add in exactly one missing premise that will make it deductively valid in line with the principle of charity. Indicate which pattern it most closely fits. [4 marks] a) All mammals are animals. All humans are mammals. All animals are mortal. Thus, Socrates is mortal. Socrates is human. Chain US + PI (or 3 X PI) Or, Socrates is a mammal. Chain US + PI (or 2 X PI) Or, Socrates is an animal. PI b) I think, therefore I exist. - Rene Descartes If I think, then I exist. Modus Ponens 2. For the following argumentative passage, diagram its argument structure. [4 marks] 1[An encyclopedia is a valuable possession for a family to have]. 2[For adults, it is a quick reference tool] 3[ For children, it provides a form of learning that complements what they get in school]. Why? Because4[ in school they have to follow a structured program]. Whereas 5[an encyclopedia lets them go from topic to topic following their own curiosity.] 4+ 3 1 3. For the following definitions, 1) indicate whether they are intensional/extensional, 2) indicate which specific kind of intensional/extensional definition it is, and 3) indicate the likely use(s) of the definition. [6 marks] a) Humor is the juxtapositioning of the incongruous. - Stephen Leacock intensional, genus and difference (genus = juxtapositioning, specific difference = incongruous), lexical b) A hurricane is Hurricane Al, Hurricane Fred, Hurricane Samantha. Extensional, example, lexical 4. For the following definitions by genus and difference, indicate which flaw it commits. Just cite the rule it violates (e.g. R3). Choose only one rule. [2 marks] a) A squirrel is a rat in a fur coat. R3 (figurative) b) A student is someone registered at a university or college taking courses. R2 (narrow) or R5 (inessential registered at university or college) 5 2
2 5. For the following short passage, indicate which of the proposed conclusions are strongly supported by the passage and which arent. No explanation needed just put strongly supported or weakly supported. [4 marks] Passage: A survey was conducted to determine the tastes in music of UM students. 2000 randomly selected students were asked what their favorite types of music are. The margin of error was +/- 2% with a 95% confidence level. All students responded. 50% of the students said they like rock exclusively, 20% said they like classical exclusively, 10% said they like blues exclusively, and the remaining 20% each said they like all kinds of music, including the three types listed above. Which of the following can be strongly inductively inferred from this study? i) At most 52% of UM students like rock music. Weak doesnt take into account the 20% who like all kinds of music which includes rock ii) At least 48% of UM students like rock music exclusively. Strong takes into account the M.E. iii) At most 52% of UM students like rock music exclusively. Strong takes into account M.E. for people who like rock exclusively iv) Roughly 30% of UM students like blues music. Strong takes into account M.E. 6. For the following analogical argument, i) standardize it in terms of premises and conclusion (see appendix) and ii) critically evaluate it using the 4 criteria provided in the appendix. [4 marks] (Let A = nerve cell in spinal cord, B = electrical circuit, X = conducting electrical currents, Y = can be repaired when damaged.) A nerve cell in the spinal cord is like an electrical circuit in the sense that both conduct electric currents. Electrical circuits, when damaged, can be repaired. Anything like electrical circuits in all relevant respects can be repaired when damaged. Thus, nerve cells in the spinal cord can be repaired when damaged. 1) Nerve cells do conduct electric currents (in a sense) in the form of action potentials (membrane depolarization). So yes, this condition is passed. 2) Electrical circuits that are very badly damaged may be un-repairable. So this condition is not passed. 3) Related to 2), one can imagine an electrical circuit (or something similar to it) that cant be repaired. This constitutes counterexample, a and so condition 3 is not passed. 4) A relevant dissimilarity between a nerve cell and an electric circuit is that nerve cells are living things whereas electric circuits in the usual sense of the term are not. 7. For the following arguments, determine which fallacies of relevance they commit. See the appendix for a complete list. No need to offer a justification simply state the fallacy. [5 marks] a) I cant believe youre preaching atheism. Im going to tell your father. He wont be terribly pleased. Appeal to emotion (fear) b) When being questioned, the suspect said nothing to disprove our accusations. So he must have committed the crime. Argument from ignorance c) Father to child: You need to give up smoking, its bad for your health. It leads to heart disease, cancer and emphysema. Child to father: How can I take you seriously when youre on your second pack of cigarettes today? The father commits an appeal to emotion, the childs argument involves an ad hominem tu quoque
3 d) There are no basic particles in the universe. Atoms are composed of parts neutrons, protons, electrons. Thus neutrons, protons and electrons must also have parts. And these parts have parts, and so on. Division what is true of the whole (that wholes have parts) may not be true of their parts e) The oil giant, Exxon, claims that the cost of crude oil is increasing which is why they have to pass on the costs to the consumer. But I find it hard to believe this given that their sole goal is to make huge profits. Genetic fallacy 8. For the following arguments, determine which fallacy of unacceptable premises it commits. See the appendix for a complete list. Limit yourself to exactly one fallacy charge per argument no justification is necessary, simply state what the fallacy is. [5 marks] a) If the Republicans win the presidency, then there will be no affordable health care for the middle classes and the poor. If this happens, people will be forced to go to emergency rooms to get treatment. Once they get the bill, they wont be able to pay it, and theyll have to declare bankruptcy. This will result in a weaker economy. Slippery slope b) If Hilary doesnt win the democratic nomination, therell only be one viable candidate for the Presidency, Obama. And it looks like Hilary wont win the nomination. False dilemma c) The suspect is not of sound mind because they are clinically and legally insane. Begs the question d) 4 out of 5 doctors surveyed prefer Celebrex to aspirin for treating osteoarthritis. Thus, you should consider getting your doctor to prescribe Celebrex for treating your arthritis. Hasty generalization e) A family deficit is like a government deficit. The government can simply take out more loans to cover its debts. So can a family. Thus, you shouldnt be concerned that your family is in debt. Faulty analogy 9. Determine which of Mills methods of agreement, difference, or joint method of agreement and difference it employs. On the basis of your determination for the initial study, indicate whether the study establishes a necessary, sufficient, or a jointly necessary and sufficient condition. (4) Study: A new anti-depression medication, Paxil was tested in a recent clinical trial to determine its effectiveness in treating panic disorder. 200 middle-aged patients with similar health backgrounds all suffering from panic disorder and experiencing at least one panic attack per week took part in the study. 100 of the subjects were given 30 mg. of Paxil per day for one year and the remaining 100 subjects were given an inert placebo for a year. At the end of the study, the experimental subjects reported having no panic attacks during the year, whereas virtually all of the control subjects continued to experience at least one panic attack per week. It was concluded that 30 mg. of Paxil per day is effective in treating panic disorder. Method of difference (all variables except the independent variable taking 30 mg. of Paxil - are held constant. Plus there is a control group and an experimental group. The method of difference establishes a sufficient condition. 10. Identify the following ethical theories: [3 marks] a) The greatest good for the greatest number. utilitarianism b) An action is right only if it is motivated by duty. Kantianism c) An action is right only if it is deemed so by the culture. Cultural relativism
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