PHIL 1180 Chapter 8 Exam Questions
With Accurate Answers
If leisure is necessary for happiness, then exploitation is necessary for happiness.
Leisure is necessary for happiness. Therefore, exploitation is necessary for happiness.
Response: The labor saving devices of modern civilization allow people to have enough
leisure to be happy without the need for exploitation. - ANSWER The response
disagrees with the conditional premise
If the rich get more benefit from the services provided by the government than the poor,
then the rich ought to pay more taxes than the poor. The rich do benefit more from
government services than the poor. Therefore, the rich quite properly pay more in taxes
than the poor. Response: I don't agree that the rich benefit more from the existence of
the government than anyone else. Government services are offered equally to all
citizens. - ANSWER The response disagrees with the other premise
If less than 2% of football players report having a concussion in the past year, then
head injuries represent an acceptable level of risk. Less than 2% of football players
report concussions in the past year. So head injuries represent an acceptable risk.
Response: You're a jerk who just doesn't care about the health risks to football players.
- ANSWER The response commits the fallacy of abuse
If the evidence for reincarnation is purely anecdotal, then there is no rational basis for
the belief. But the evidence for reincarnation is purely anecdotal - it's nothing more than
stories. Thus, reincarnation has no rational basis. Response: You wouldn't say that if
you believed in reincarnation. - ANSWER The response commits the circumstantial
fallacy
If the evidence for reincarnation is purely anecdotal, then there is no rational basis for
the belief. But the evidence for reincarnation is purely anecdotal - it's nothing more than
stories. Thus, reincarnation has no rational basis. Response: Anecdotal evidence may
not be scientific but it can still be quite rational to believe it. After all, newspaper
reporting is nothing more than stories as well. - ANSWER The response disagrees with
the conditional premise
, If the right of individual citizens to arm themselves is taken away, then the people will
lose their ability to defend themselves against tyrannical government. The right of
individuals citizens to arm themselves is being taken away. Therefore, the people are
losing their ability to defend themselves against tyrannical government. Response: The
right to bear arms plays no role in protecting citizens against tyrannical government
because the military capacity of any modern government so far exceeds any weapon an
individual might possess. - ANSWER The response disagrees with the conditional
premise
If Clarence Thomas is the only Supreme Court justice who does not question lawyers
presenting arguments before the court, then Justice Thomas is incompetent. Justice
Thomas is indeed the only justice who never questions lawyers. We must conclude then
that Justice Thomas is incompetent. Response: The fact that he doesn't participate in
the oral arguments before the Court does not mean he is an incompetent jurist. It may
just be that his talents are best displayed in private discussions with the other members
of the Court or in drafting written opinions. - ANSWER The response disagrees with the
conditional premise
If the term "Redskin" was not originally used as an insult, then people should not object
to its use now. In the 18th century when the term originated it was not used as an insult.
So, nobody should object to it now. Response: The fact that the term was not
considered insulting in its original usage does not mean it's not insulting now. -
ANSWER The response disagrees with conditional premise
If the baby-boomers retire and sell of their stock at roughly the same time, then the
market will crash. So, get ready for a crash because you know those boomers will be
retiring soon and selling off their stock. Response: You are only saying that because
you are not part of that generation. If you were nearing retirement you wouldn't be
worrying about how it might affect the stock market. - ANSWER The response commits
the circumstantial fallacy
If the Harry Potter books appeal to intelligent adults, then the series is likely to be an
enduring classic. The Harry Potter books are greatly loved by millions of thoughtful,
intelligent adult readers. Thus, the books are likely to endure as classics. Response: I
understand that a lot of adults have read the Harry Potter books but I doubt that many of
them really love the books. I think it is more likely that parents are reading the books
simply to encourage their children to read them. - ANSWER The response attacks the
other premise
Duchamp's Fountain is not art. If Duchamp's Fountain is not art, then art critics are
fools. Hence, art critics are fools. Response: Art critics aren't fools. They are highly
educated and sophisticated people. - ANSWER The response just disagrees with the
conclusion
With Accurate Answers
If leisure is necessary for happiness, then exploitation is necessary for happiness.
Leisure is necessary for happiness. Therefore, exploitation is necessary for happiness.
Response: The labor saving devices of modern civilization allow people to have enough
leisure to be happy without the need for exploitation. - ANSWER The response
disagrees with the conditional premise
If the rich get more benefit from the services provided by the government than the poor,
then the rich ought to pay more taxes than the poor. The rich do benefit more from
government services than the poor. Therefore, the rich quite properly pay more in taxes
than the poor. Response: I don't agree that the rich benefit more from the existence of
the government than anyone else. Government services are offered equally to all
citizens. - ANSWER The response disagrees with the other premise
If less than 2% of football players report having a concussion in the past year, then
head injuries represent an acceptable level of risk. Less than 2% of football players
report concussions in the past year. So head injuries represent an acceptable risk.
Response: You're a jerk who just doesn't care about the health risks to football players.
- ANSWER The response commits the fallacy of abuse
If the evidence for reincarnation is purely anecdotal, then there is no rational basis for
the belief. But the evidence for reincarnation is purely anecdotal - it's nothing more than
stories. Thus, reincarnation has no rational basis. Response: You wouldn't say that if
you believed in reincarnation. - ANSWER The response commits the circumstantial
fallacy
If the evidence for reincarnation is purely anecdotal, then there is no rational basis for
the belief. But the evidence for reincarnation is purely anecdotal - it's nothing more than
stories. Thus, reincarnation has no rational basis. Response: Anecdotal evidence may
not be scientific but it can still be quite rational to believe it. After all, newspaper
reporting is nothing more than stories as well. - ANSWER The response disagrees with
the conditional premise
, If the right of individual citizens to arm themselves is taken away, then the people will
lose their ability to defend themselves against tyrannical government. The right of
individuals citizens to arm themselves is being taken away. Therefore, the people are
losing their ability to defend themselves against tyrannical government. Response: The
right to bear arms plays no role in protecting citizens against tyrannical government
because the military capacity of any modern government so far exceeds any weapon an
individual might possess. - ANSWER The response disagrees with the conditional
premise
If Clarence Thomas is the only Supreme Court justice who does not question lawyers
presenting arguments before the court, then Justice Thomas is incompetent. Justice
Thomas is indeed the only justice who never questions lawyers. We must conclude then
that Justice Thomas is incompetent. Response: The fact that he doesn't participate in
the oral arguments before the Court does not mean he is an incompetent jurist. It may
just be that his talents are best displayed in private discussions with the other members
of the Court or in drafting written opinions. - ANSWER The response disagrees with the
conditional premise
If the term "Redskin" was not originally used as an insult, then people should not object
to its use now. In the 18th century when the term originated it was not used as an insult.
So, nobody should object to it now. Response: The fact that the term was not
considered insulting in its original usage does not mean it's not insulting now. -
ANSWER The response disagrees with conditional premise
If the baby-boomers retire and sell of their stock at roughly the same time, then the
market will crash. So, get ready for a crash because you know those boomers will be
retiring soon and selling off their stock. Response: You are only saying that because
you are not part of that generation. If you were nearing retirement you wouldn't be
worrying about how it might affect the stock market. - ANSWER The response commits
the circumstantial fallacy
If the Harry Potter books appeal to intelligent adults, then the series is likely to be an
enduring classic. The Harry Potter books are greatly loved by millions of thoughtful,
intelligent adult readers. Thus, the books are likely to endure as classics. Response: I
understand that a lot of adults have read the Harry Potter books but I doubt that many of
them really love the books. I think it is more likely that parents are reading the books
simply to encourage their children to read them. - ANSWER The response attacks the
other premise
Duchamp's Fountain is not art. If Duchamp's Fountain is not art, then art critics are
fools. Hence, art critics are fools. Response: Art critics aren't fools. They are highly
educated and sophisticated people. - ANSWER The response just disagrees with the
conclusion
