Introducing Logic and Critical Thinking by T. Ryan Byerly

Author:T. Ryan Byerly
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Philosophy/Logic;REL051000;PHI011000;REL067070;Logic—Textbooks;Critical thinking— Textbooks
ISBN: 9781493410804
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2017-05-05T00:00:00+00:00

Exercise 3.3

A. Identifying Arguments from Authority. For each of the following arguments, determine whether it is an argument from authority. Assume that the persons cited in the premises are authorities concerning the claim attributed to them. If the argument is an argument from authority, identify what stands for X and what stands for P.

1.

Stephanie has been quoted as saying “I do not like green eggs and ham” as part of a larger statement.

So Stephanie does not like green eggs and ham.

2.

Jesus asserted that he is the way, the truth, and the life.

So Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

3.

The president asserted that his cabinet did not have a meeting last Thursday.

So the president’s cabinet did not have a meeting last Thursday.

4.

The pastor asserted that he was not inclined to think that the budget is empty.

So the budget is not empty.

5.

Jesus asked Peter, “Who do you think that I am?”

So Jesus did not know who Peter thought he was.

B. Evaluating Arguments from Authority. For each of the following arguments from authority, identify two items of additional information, each of which could very well be true and each of which is such that we cannot conclude that the argument is strong given the truth of this information.

1.

Comedian Jimmy Fallon asserted that he was recently spending time with a political figure.

So Jimmy Fallon was recently spending time with a political figure.

2.

The first-term president asserted that his cabinet did not meet in secret last Thursday.

So the first-term president’s cabinet did not meet in secret last Thursday.

3.

Philosopher Bertrand Russell asserted that there is insufficient evidence to conclude that God exists.

So there is insufficient evidence to conclude that God exists.

4.

Spy James Bond asserted that he does not know where the nuclear launch codes are.

So James Bond does not know where the nuclear launch codes are.

5.

Biblical scholar Bart Ehrman asserts that the best explanation for the New Testament evidence concerning Jesus’s supposed resurrection is not that Jesus rose from the dead.

So the best explanation for the New Testament evidence concerning Jesus’s supposed resurrection is not that Jesus rose from the dead.

C. Complex Arguments. Transform the information provided in each of the following arguments into a complex argument that employs one instance of an argument from authority and one instance of either a statistical syllogism or induction by enumeration. For each of the resulting arguments, identify one item of further information that is such that we cannot conclude that the argument in question is strong given the truth of this information.

1.

Fifteen percent of philosophers with a permanent academic job report that they do believe in God.

So fifteen percent of philosophers do believe in God.

2.

Seventy-five percent of architects of new commercial structures report that they have not designed a building with a rectangular shape.

Nathan is an architect of a new commercial structure.

So Nathan did not design a building with a rectangular shape.

3.

Sixty-five percent of attendees at the Methodist revival reported sensing God’s presence.

So sixty-five percent of revival attendees sense God’s presence.

4.

Eighty percent of office workers report experiencing frustration with their coworkers.

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