SAYLOR ACADEMY PHIL102 COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS 2027
counterexample
an example used to support a claim or statement that is the opposite of
another claim or statement
truth value
the truth or falsity of a statement
reductio ad absurdum
(reduction to the absurd) a disproof by showing that the consequences of
the proposition are absurd
Modus ponens
If P then Q
P
Therefore Q
Modus tollens
If P then Q
Not Q
Therefore not P
Hypothetical syllogism
if p then q
if q then r
therefore if p then r
disjunctive syllogism
P or Q
Not P
Therefore Q
, Constructive dilemma
If A then B, and, if C then D
Either A or C
Either B or D
Hidden/Implicit Assumption
an illogical conclusion drawn from unsupported evidence
deductive argument
an argument that reasons from known premises to an inevitable
conclusion
inductive arguments
arguments whose reasons lead to probable conclusions
Probability
likelihood that a particular event will occur
inductive reasoning
reasoning from detailed facts to general principles
Analogical reasoning
reasoning in which a speaker compares two similar cases and infers that
what is true for the first case is also true for the second
argument map
Visual diagram of how the premises of an argument relate to one another
and to the conclusion.
strong argument
the premises are true and the conclusion is probably true
Weak arguments
premises of the argument do not lend much support to the conclusion of
the argument
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS 2027
counterexample
an example used to support a claim or statement that is the opposite of
another claim or statement
truth value
the truth or falsity of a statement
reductio ad absurdum
(reduction to the absurd) a disproof by showing that the consequences of
the proposition are absurd
Modus ponens
If P then Q
P
Therefore Q
Modus tollens
If P then Q
Not Q
Therefore not P
Hypothetical syllogism
if p then q
if q then r
therefore if p then r
disjunctive syllogism
P or Q
Not P
Therefore Q
, Constructive dilemma
If A then B, and, if C then D
Either A or C
Either B or D
Hidden/Implicit Assumption
an illogical conclusion drawn from unsupported evidence
deductive argument
an argument that reasons from known premises to an inevitable
conclusion
inductive arguments
arguments whose reasons lead to probable conclusions
Probability
likelihood that a particular event will occur
inductive reasoning
reasoning from detailed facts to general principles
Analogical reasoning
reasoning in which a speaker compares two similar cases and infers that
what is true for the first case is also true for the second
argument map
Visual diagram of how the premises of an argument relate to one another
and to the conclusion.
strong argument
the premises are true and the conclusion is probably true
Weak arguments
premises of the argument do not lend much support to the conclusion of
the argument
