PHL 320 Week 1 Practice: Week 1 Knowledge Check

Complete the "Week 1 Knowledge Check" in Connect®.

Note: You have unlimited attempts available to complete this practice assignment. The highest scored attempt will be recorded. These assignments have earlier due dates, so plan accordingly. Grades must be transferred manually to eCampus by your instructor. Don't worry, this might happen after your due date.

The more support the premise of an inductive argument provides for the conclusion, the stronger the argument.

True or False

A valid argument cannot have any false premises.

True or False

In order to be sound, an argument must be

Multiple Choice

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valid and strong.

•  

deductive and strong.

•  

valid and have true premises.

•  

inductive and have true conclusions.

The bandwagon effect is potentially a powerful source of cognitive distortion.

True or False

Whether a subjective claim is true or false is independent of whether people think it is true or false.

True or False

An unconscious tendency to align one’s thinking with that of other people is known as the

Multiple Choice

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bandwagon effect.

•  

availability heuristic.

•  

confirmation bias.

•  

belief bias.

Some opinions are not subjective, because their truth or falsity is independent of what people think.

True or False

Which of the following is an objective claim?

Multiple Choice

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Sailing is the most soothing activity.

•  

Yellow is the most pleasant color to look at.

•  

Jason has great dressing sense.

•  

Driving while drowsy is dangerous.

If we know that an argument is weak, then we know that the conclusion

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is false.

•  

is true.

•  

may or may not be true.

Which of the following involves unconsciously assigning a probability to a type of event on the basis of how often one thinks of events of that type?

Multiple Choice

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Factual claim

•  

In-group bias

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Availability heuristic

•  

Obscure issue

Which of the following is a subjective claim?

Multiple Choice

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Leno tells better jokes than Letterman.

•  

Yellow is Jennifer’s favorite color.

•  

Pit vipers can strike a warm-blooded animal even when it is pitch dark.

•  

There is life on Mars.

"The Republicans’ proposal to cut taxes on capital gains (profits from selling real estate, stocks, and bonds) is not a sop for the wealthy. It is a way to stimulate investment and ultimately to create jobs. That’s why it is in everyone’s interest to support the proposal."

Which of the following best states the primary issue discussed in the passage?

Multiple Choice

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whether the proposal is a sop for the wealthy

•  

whether the proposal is a way to stimulate investment and ultimately to create jobs

•  

whether stimulating investment and creating jobs is a good thing

•  

whether it is in everyone’s interest to support the proposal

"Tommy has great fashion sense" is an objective claim.

True or False

Which of the following involves unconsciously assigning a probability to a type of event on the basis of how often one thinks of events of that type?

Multiple Choice

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Factual claim

•  

In-group bias

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Availability heuristic

•  

Obscure issue

Which of the following is a subjective claim?

Multiple Choice

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Staring at the sun will damage your eyes.

•  

You shouldn’t buy that car because it is ugly.

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On a baseball field, the center of the pitcher’s mound is 59 feet from home plate.

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Pit vipers can strike a warm-blooded animal even when it is pitch dark.

Which of the following is true of cognitive biases?

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They evaluate conclusions based on evidence.

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They help process information accurately.

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They interfere with one's ability to think clearly.

•  

They help people reason objectively.

All vice-presidents in the company drive a Mercedes. Since Eric is a vice-president, he must also drive a Mercedes." This argument is best considered

rev: 03_01_2018_QC_CS-120197

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inductive.

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deductive.

"Sheila’s clarinet is French. It’s a Leblanc, and all Leblanc instruments are made in France."

This argument is best considered

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inductive

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deductive.

"I think there should be a speed limit for the 'spandex' bicycle racers that feel the need to run those of us that don’t ride or walk as fast off the road and into the bushes in Bidwell Park. The park is for everyone’s pleasure and enjoyment, and more often than not it is spoiled by those few who feel they are superior to the rest of us. Approximately eight out of ten times when my family and I have ridden our bikes through the park at least one of us has just about been plowed over by one of those egotistical speeders."—From a letter to the editor

Which of the following best states the primary issue discussed in the passage?

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whether there should be a speed limit for bicycle racers

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whether bicycle racers are egotistical

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whether the park is for everyone’s pleasure

•  

whether outings to the park are frequently spoiled by bicycle racers

"Sheila’s clarinet is French. It’s a Leblanc, and all Leblanc instruments are made in France."

This argument is best considered

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inductive

•  

deductive.

The inclination that people may have to assume that their attitudes and those held by people around them are shared by society at large is known as

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the fundamental attribution error.

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the false consensus effect.

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negativity bias.

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confirmation bias.

In an inductive argument, the premise demonstrates or proves the conclusion.

True or False

False

The tendency to not appreciate that others’ behavior is as much constrained by events and circumstances as our own would be if we were in their position is known as the

Multiple Choice

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false consensus effect.

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fundamental attribution error.

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bandwagon effect.

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overconfidence effect.

"Jose is taller than Bill, and Bill is taller than Margaret. Therefore, Jose is taller than Margaret." This argument is best considered

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inductive.

•  

deductive.

If we know that an argument is weak, then we know that the conclusion

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is false.

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is true.

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may or may not be true.

Which of the following involves unconsciously assigning a probability to a type of event on the basis of how often one thinks of events of that type?

Multiple Choice

•  

Factual claim

•  

In-group bias

•  

Availability heuristic

•  

Obscure issue

PHL 320 Wk 1 - Apply: Effective Arguments Analysis 

Watch the selected Wk 1 University Library video to learn more about building arguments.

Choose one of the following arguments:

• The Australian wildfires are further evidence that climate change exists.

• States should have the right to implement restrictive abortion laws that prevent pregnancy termination as soon as fetal heart rate is detectable.

• The legalization of recreational marijuana use is directly related to decreased violent crime in states where these laws have been implemented.

Research that argument and then write a 350- to 700-word paper in which you:

• Evaluate the reasoning behind the argument.

• Determine if you think the argument is effective and describe how you came to that conclusion.

Format your assignment according to APA guidelines. 

Submit your assignment. 

PHL 320 Week 1 Apply: Creating an Argument

Complete the "Creating an Argument" homework assignment in Connect®.

For each statement, select the conclusion statement that would turn these statements into arguments.

Note: You have only 1 attempt available to complete this assignment. Grades must be transferred manually to eCampus by your instructor. Don't worry, this might happen after your due date.

Tipsarevic is unlikely to win the U.S. Open this year.

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He will be a strong competitor, though.

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Smith is also unlikely to win the U.S. Open this year.

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He has a nagging leg injury, plus he doesn’t have the drive he once had.

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He did not win the U.S. Open last year either.

John Montgomery has been the Eastern Baseball League’s best closer this season. Unfortunately, when a closer gets shelled, as Montgomery did last night, it takes him a while to recover.

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There are other pitchers on his team who could be closers.

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In fact, his team may want to think about trading him.

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Nobody will say he is the best closer after that performance.

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He may never recover.

There is trouble in the Middle East, there is a recession at home, and all economic indicators are trending downward.

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It would be nice to see economic indicators trending upward instead.

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Most news media agree that this is the case.

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There are similar conditions in other regions throughout the world.

•  

It seems likely, then, that the only way the stock market can go is down.

“It may be true that people, not guns, kill people.

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There are many reasons why people kill people."

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But people with guns kill more people than people without guns. As long as the number of lethal weapons in the hands of the American people continues to grow, so will the murder rate.”

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It may also be true that people hate one another."

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There are a lot of people who own guns."

As a long-time customer, you’re already taking advantage of our money management expertise and variety of investment choices.

Multiple Choice

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We have spent years building this expertise and developing a variety of investment choices.

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That’s a good reason for consolidating your other eligible assets into an IRA with us.

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We always like to offer our long-time customers additional options.

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Many other customers also take advantage of our expertise and variety.

Yes, I charge a little more than other dentists.

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But I feel I give better service. So my billing practices are justified.

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But I don’t charge as much as I could.

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You should see what my dentist charges me, though.

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And I offer services that other dentists don’t always offer.

Pornography often depicts women as servants or slaves or as otherwise inferior to men.

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Pornography is much more prevalent than it used to be thanks to the Internet.

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In light of that, it seems reasonable to expect to find more women than men who are upset by pornography.

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Most pornography is created by men.

•  

Pornography depicts women in other ways, as well.

Fears that chemicals in teething rings and soft plastic toys may cause cancer may be justified.

Multiple Choice

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Chemicals have been used in such items for years.

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Cancer is one of the biggest health concerns society faces.

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There are many other things that also cause cancer.

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Last week, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a report confirming that low amounts of DEHP, known to cause liver cancer in lab animals, may be absorbed from certain infant products.

The Carrie Diaries isn’t very good.

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It’s just a repackage of Sex and the City.

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I don’t know what the author was thinking when they wrote it.

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It is one of many bad books I’ve read lately.

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I checked it out of the library because I thought it would be good.

Carl would like to help out, but he won’t be in town.

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He might not have been much help anyway.

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We’ll have to find someone else who owns a truck.

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He should be back in town the following week.

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He is going to visit his grandmother, who is ill.

PHL 320 Week 2 Practice: Week 2 Knowledge Check

Complete the "Week 2 Knowledge Check" in Connect®.

Note: You have unlimited attempts available to complete this practice assignment. The highest scored attempt will be recorded. These assignments have earlier due dates, so plan accordingly. Grades must be transferred manually to eCampus by your instructor. Don't worry, this might happen after your due date.

Classify the following: "A juice harp is a harmonica."

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definition by example

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definition by synonym

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analytical definition

Classify the following: "‘Adult beverage’ is anything that will get you drunk and make you act like an adolescent."

Multiple Choice

•  

definition by example

•  

definition by synonym

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analytical definition

Classify the following: "When Dr. Leakey said Lucy’s walk was bipedal, he meant her walk was upright."

Multiple Choice

•  

definition by example

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definition by synonym

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analytical definition

Classify the following: "Being an octogenarian is being in one’s eighties."

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definition by example

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definition by synonym

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analytical definition

The word "centaur" can be defined by example.

True or False

If you want to make a word’s meaning more precise, a definition by synonym will work better than an analytical definition.

True or False

Classify the following: "‘Freedom’ is just another word for nothing left to lose."—Kris Kristofferson

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definition by example

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definition by synonym

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analytical definition

Classify the following: "Dr. Monfort thinks ‘new-age’ is another word for mindless."

Multiple Choice

•  

definition by example

•  

definition by synonym

•  

analytical definition

PHL 320 Wk 2 - Apply: Vague Statements Evaluation

For this assignment, you will apply critical thinking to avoid the use of vague statements.

Review Ch. 3, "Clear Thinking, Critical Thinking, and Clear Writing," of Critical Thinking (12th ed.).

Complete the Statements Analysis Worksheet.

Submit your assignment. 

 Statements Analysis Worksheet

Read each statement.

Analyze each statement and source for credibility. 

Write a 50- to 90-word analysis for each statement.

• Identify if the language used is clear or vague.

• Determine if the statement is literal or figurative. 

• Evaluate the source to determine whether it is credible.

PHL 320 Week 2 Apply: Vague Statements

Complete the "Vague Statements" homework assignment in Connect®.

Each of the questions in Connect® contains a statement in vague language. For each question, select the rewritten statement that contains the clearest language. 

Note: You have only 1 attempt available to complete assignments. Grades must be transferred manually to eCampus by your instructor. Don't worry; this might happen after your due date.

Advertisement: “The Aquaclear water filter—it really will improve the taste and odor of your water.”  Which of the following is rewritten in language that is clear rather than vague?

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The Aquaclear water filter will improve your life.

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The Aqaclear water filter change the way you think about water filters.

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The Aquaclear water filter will make you think you have never really had water before.

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The Aquaclear water filter will improve the taste and odor of your water by removing dirt and minerals from the water.

Property owner, showing his property to a potential buyer: “The lot extends back to about where that large oak tree stands.”

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The lot in back ends at the property line.

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The lot extends almost to where that large oak tree stands.

•  

The lot extends 50 feet from the back of the house, which is near the oak tree.

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We tend to think of the oak tree as the property line, since it is near enough.

“Renaissance music just doesn’t do it for me.” 

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"Renaissance music simply lulls me to sleep.”

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“I don’t think I prefer to listen to Renaissance music.”

•  

"There is just something about Renaissance music I don’t like.”

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“I can’t say why it is I don’t care for Renaissance music.”

It seems clear that within the next ten years, they’ll have produced a machine that can really think.

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In the next 10 years, the company will have produced a machine that outperforms how a human thinks and makes day-to-day decisions.

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Someday they’ll have produced a machine that can think like a human.

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It seems clear that within the next 10 years, they should make some progress in developing thinking machines.

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In the next 10 years, they should be able to produce a machine that can think in some fashion.

The president has determined that tax reform will be his first priority during his second term in office.

Multiple Choice

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Some believe the president will make tax reform a priority in his second term.

•  

The president will tackle tax reform as his first priority during his second term in office, which is in two years.

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The president has promised to make tax reform a priority.

•  

The president thinks that tax reform will be a priority during his second term.

“If I were you, I’d watch out for the boss.” 

Multiple Choice

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"Watch out for the boss; he’s grumpy today.” 

•  

“If I were you, I’d keep a close eye out for the boss.”

•  

“You may want to avoid the boss today if you can.”

•  

“There’s the boss; you may want to head the other way.”

Doctor: “The arrhythmia you are experiencing indicates you should lay off jogging for a while.” 

Multiple Choice

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"The arrhythmia you are experiencing is a serious issue that requires treatment."

•  

"The arrhythmia you are experiencing indicates you should consider jogging less often."

•  

"Your arrhythmia makes me think you should be careful when you jog."

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"Because your heart beats too fast, you should stop jogging for the next 30 days. "

“Well, let’s see. To get to the Woodward Mall, go down this street a couple of blocks and then turn right. Go through several stoplights, turn left, and go just a short way. You can’t miss it.” 

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“You want the Woodward Mall? Just head west and you’ll see it in front of you. You can’t miss it.”

•  

"The Woodward Mall? You may want to use your GPS, since getting there is a little tricky.”

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"In order to get to Woodward Mall, drive south on Main Street for two blocks until you get to Dover Street. After you get to Dover Street, make a right on Foxwood Drive. You will drive on Foxwood Drive for three miles until you see Woodward Lane. Turn left on Woodward Lane, and you have arrived at Woodward Mall."

•  

“Well, let’s see. To get to the Woodward Mall, you’re going to need to make three lefts and then a right. You can’t miss it.”

Said at a party: “What did I think of the concert? Yeah, I was at the concert.” 

Multiple Choice

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"What did I think of the concert? I guess I had a good time.”

•  

“What did I think of the concert? I haven’t really thought about it.”

•  

“What did I think of the concert? I thought it was pretty good. You should have been there.”

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“What did I think of the concert? I haven’t really thought about it.”

During his first news conference of the year, the president said today that his administration was going to crack down even harder on international terrorism.

Multiple Choice

•  

During his first news conference of the year, the president admitted that the war on international terrorism would be long and difficult.

•  

During the president’s first news conference of the year, the administration outlined processes and procedures it will put in place to combat international terrorism.

•  

During his first news conference of the year, the president backed away from earlier statements about how his administration was going to crack down even harder on international terrorism.

•  

During his first news conference of the year, the president will address what he plans to do about international terrorism.

PHL 320 Week 3 Practice: Week 3 Knowledge Check

Complete the "Week 3 Knowledge Check" in Connect®.

Note: You have unlimited attempts available to complete this practice assignment. The highest scored attempt will be recorded. These assignments have earlier due dates, so plan accordingly. Grades must be transferred manually to eCampus by your instructor. Don't worry, this might happen after your due date.

Identifying Statistical Syllogisms and Inductive Generalizations from Samples 4

Determine whether each of the following is a statistical syllogism, inductive generalization from a sample, or neither.

1. Almost every Shih tzu I’ve run into is smart; there probably aren’t any anywhere that aren’t.

2. A majority of Republicans favor immigration reform, and Horace is a Republican. Connect the dots.

3. Sally is apt to be cranky; she usually is when she skips breakfast.

4. Comcast service has improved a lot over the past year, judging from what has happened around here.

5. It will still be cool there in June; the elevation at Denver is over 5,000 feet.

Identifying the Analogues and Attributes of Interest 2

In each item, identify the analogues and the attribute of interest.

1. Tell you what, this ant poison looks like Windex. I bet we can clean the windows with it.

2. You need strong, quick fingers if you’re going to play a violin or a viola. Angus is great on the violin; he’d probably be great on the viola, too.

3. I liked Will Smith’s last movie, so I’ll probably like this one too, especially because they have the same story line.

Find the claim described below and determine whether it is equivalent to the claim you began with.

(Note: In your response, make sure to avoid using contractions so that you are not scored inly. For example, use "are not" instead of "aren’t.")

Find the obverse of "Some Arabs are Christians."

Find the claim described below and determine whether it is equivalent to the claim you began with.

(Note: In your response, make sure to avoid using contractions so that you are not scored inly. For example, use "are not" instead of "aren’t.”)

Find the converse of "Some Kurds are not Christians."

Match the following terms with their truth-functional symbols.

Drag each concept to its corresponding definition.

 A system of logic that specifies the logical relationships among truth-functional claims—claims whose truth values depend solely on the truth values of their simplest component parts.

A letter that stands for a claim.

A table that lists all possible combinations of truth values for the claim variables in a symbolized claim or argument and then specifies the truth value of the claim or claims for each of those possible combinations.

The contradictory of a given claim; the negation of claim P is usually given as “not-P.”

A compound claim made from two simpler claims; it is true if and only if both of the simpler claims that compose it are true.

A compound claim made up of two simpler claims; it is false only if both of the simpler claims that make it up are false.

A claim that state-of-affairs A cannot hold without state-of-affairs B holding as well—for example, “If A, then B.” The A-part of the claim is called the “antecedent”; the B-part is called the “consequent.”

This occurs if and only if two claims have exactly the same truth table.

Find the claim described below and determine whether it is equivalent to the claim you began with.

(Note: In your response, make sure to avoid using contractions so that you are not scored inly. For example, use "are not" instead of "aren’t.")

Find the contrapositive of “No Sunnis are Christians.”

PHL 320 Wk 3 - Apply: Logical Structures of Arguments Essay

For this assignment, you will identify a current business problem and justify the change needed.

Review the Wk 1 reading, Ch. 2, "Two Kinds of Reasoning," of Critical Thinking (12th ed.).

Select a business. This may be where you currently work or a fictional business.

Think of or create a problem that exists within the business.

Write a 350- to 700-word essay about the logical structures of arguments. In your essay:

• Summarize the business issue.

• Identify the rules of logic that should be applied to the issue.

• Create five arguments for the change.

• Explain how the rules of logic helped you determine your five arguments for change.

Format your assignment according to APA guidelines.  

Submit your assignment.

PHL 320 Week 3 Apply: Inductive and Deductive Reasoning (2019 New)

Required information

Translating Claims into Standard Form 1

Translate each of the following into a standard-form claim. Make sure that each answer follows the exact form of an A-, E-, I-, or O-claim and that each term you use is a noun or noun phrase that refers to a class of things. Remember that you’re trying to produce a claim that’s equivalent to the one given; it doesn’t matter whether the given claim is actually true.

Not every lizard is a salamander.

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•  

Some lizards are not salamanders.

•  

Not every salamander is a lizard.

•  

Some salamanders are not lizards.

Only reptiles can be lizards.

Multiple Choice

•  

All reptiles are lizards.

•  

All lizards are reptiles.

Snakes are the only members of the suborder Ophidia.

Multiple Choice

•  

All snakes are members of the suborder Ophidia.

•  

Some snakes are not members of the suborder Ophidia.

•  

All members of the suborder Ophidia are snakes.

The only members of the suborder Ophidia are snakes.

Multiple Choice

•  

All snakes are members of the suborder Ophidia.

•  

All members of the suborder Ophidia are snakes.

Anything that’s an alligator is a reptile.

Multiple Choice

•  

All alligators are reptiles.

•  

All reptiles are alligators.

Most logic exercises are easy.

Multiple Choice

•  

Some logic exercises are easy.

•  

Some logic exercises are not easy.

•  

All logic exercises are easy.

Drag each concept to its corresponding definition.

Which of the following arguments are valid or invalid? (Remember, an argument is valid when the truth of its premises guarantees the truth of its conclusion.)

Which of the following arguments are valid or invalid? (Remember, an argument is valid when the truth of its premises guarantees the truth of its conclusion.)

When you build a truth table for a claim, you

Multiple Choice

•  

determine whether the three terms are truth-functionally equivalent.

•  

determine the truth value of the compound claim.

•  

present all the possible circumstances for an argument.

•  

determine the necessary and sufficient conditions for the claim.

If John goes to the game, then Michael will also go. 

Michael went to the game.

Therefore, we can conclude that John went to the game.

This is an example of which invalid argument form?

Multiple Choice

•  

Affirming the consequent

•  

Denying the antecedent

•  

Undistributed Middle

•  

Bandwagon fallacy

If Kendra trains hard for her game, then she will win.

Kendra did not train hard for her game. 

So she will definitely not win. 

This is an example of which invalid argument form? 

Multiple Choice

•  

Denying the antecedent

•  

Affirming the consequent

•  

Undistributed Middle

•  

Reductio ad absurdum

If Ben runs 20 miles, then Wanda will donate $1000 to his charity.

If Michaela runs 20 miles, then Wanda will donate $1000 to her charity.

Therefore, If Ben runs 20 miles, then Michaela will also run 20 miles. 

This is an example of which invalid argument form?

Multiple Choice

•  

Undistributed middle (Truth-Functional Version)

•  

Bandwagon fallacy

•  

Denying the consequent

•  

Composition fallacy

If the engine overheats, then the car will stall.

If the car stalls, then we won't get to the concert on time.

If the engine overheats, then we won't get to the concert on time. 

This scenario is an example of a(n)

Multiple Choice

•  

chain argument.

•  

implication.

•  

disjunctive argument.

•  

destructive dilemma.

Identify whether each of these is an argument from analogy or an analogy that isn’t an argument.

Classify the following statements into two categories, inductive generalizations from samples and statistical syllogisms.

Required information

Complete each of these statistical syllogisms by supplying an appropriate premise or conclusion.

  Marilyn is a florist; I bet she’s a nice person.

Premise: Most florists are nice people.

Don’t waste your time trying to teach that dog to fetch. Otterhounds don’t do that.

Multiple Choice

•  

That dog is an Otterhound.

•  

Teaching most Otterhounds is a waste of time.

•  

Most people like to teach Otterhounds to fetch.

Dr. Walker belongs to the ACLU; most people who belong to the ACLU are liberals.

Multiple Choice

•  

Most liberals belong to the ACLU.

•  

Dr. Walker belongs to the ACLU like most people.

•  

Therefore, probably Dr. Walker is a liberal.

Sharon shops online; I bet she doesn’t pay sales tax.

Multiple Choice

•  

Most people who pay sales tax don’t shop online.

•  

Most people who shop online pay sales tax.

•  

Most people who shop online don’t pay sales tax.

York belongs to the NRA; he’s probably a Republican.

Multiple Choice

•&