PHIL 347N WEEK 6 CHECKPOINT QUIZ with Cmplete Solution

PHIL 347N WEEK 6 CHECKPOINT QUIZ with Cmplete Solution 1. What are the three fundamental reasoning strategies listed in the text? - -a. Comparative reasoning b. Empirical reasoning c. Ideological reasoning What is comparative reasoning? On what skill is it based? - -Comparative reasoning is this-is-like that reasoning. We rely on something familiar to interpret and understand something that is less familiar. It is based on pattern recognition. We learned four tests for evaluating arguments: truthfulness of the premises, logical strength, relevance, and non-circularity. How well do these tests work with respect to evaluation comparative reasoning? Consider each of the four tests - -a. The four tests of evaluating arguments do not work well in evaluative comparative reasoning because it does not seek to determine whether a conclusion is true or not. b. Truth of the premises does not work because points of comparison are not connected in a way that permits us to say one is more true than another c. Logical strength reveals point of similarity and dissimilarity that make comparisons more or less plausible, rather than logical or illogical. d. Relevance is not easily apparent; the argument offers observations to establish relevance e. Non-circularity does not apply because comparative inferences flow from what we know to a projection of what may be true Briefly explain how we can determine if one comparison is more comprehensive that another - -We can determine if a comparison is more comprehensive by assessing which one captures a greater number of essential features. According to the text, the basic question to ask when evaluating a comparison between two objects or ideas or events is "Are they alike enough in the important ways or not?". What are those "important ways" that determine the credibility of conclusion based on similarities? - -The five criteria for evaluating comparative reasoning are familiarity, simplicity, comprehensiveness, productivity, and testability. In your own words, define empirical reasoning - -Empirical reasoning is inductive and based on observations. It takes observations and "bottoms up" to predict probabilities. What are the three defining characteristics o