Just looking for some help on this to verify that I am on the right track. This
ID: 3498037 • Letter: J
Question
Just looking for some help on this to verify that I am on the right track. This section has really been confusing for me. I am not letting modus tollen and motus pollens enter ino the equation. Just AC,DN,UM and N.
Below are some arguments in standard form. Some of them are the fallacies of Affirming the Consequent (AC), Denying the Antecedent (DN), or Undistributed Middle (UM). Identify each by writing the abbreviation in the blank. If an argument is none of those forms, write N. ___um____If Orville knits a hat during a heat wave, he is silly. If Orville is silly, he also knits a scarf. If Orville knits a hat during a heat wave, he also knits a scarf. ___dn____If Orville studied well, then he helps Algernon. Orville didn’t study well. Hence, he didn’t help Algernon. ___ac____ If Orville turns his work in on time, he will pass accounting. Orville passes accounting. He turns his work in on time. ___n____If Hortense and Algernon work together, they will pass. Hortense and Algernon work together. They will pass. __n___If Orville catches the flu, then Hortense will catch the flu. If Orville catches the flu, then Algernon will catch the flu. Therefore, if Hortense catches the flu, then so will Algernon. ___ac____If Hortense gets the job, then she will need a new computer. If she needs a new computer, then she will get one good for gaming. Thus, if Hortense gets the job, she will get a computer good for gaming. ___um____Whenever Algernon and Orville work together, they succeed. Whenever Algernon and Orville work together, they go out for pizza. Whenever Algernon and Orville go out for pizza, they succeed. ___dn____If Algernon and Hortense both go to class, they will both succeed. They do not both go to class. They do not both succeed.
Explanation / Answer
All these answers are correct. Let me give you some examples for you to understand what the terms mean and you can check your answers again after understanding them:
1. Affirming the consequent:
Logical Form: If P then Q. Q. Therefore, P.
Example: If I don’t have a boyfriend, I will have more money to spend. I have more money to spend. Therefore, I don’t have a boyfriend.
2. Denying the antecedent:
Logical Form: If P, then Q. Not P. Therefore, not Q.
Example: If it meows, it is a cat. It doesn’t meow. Therefore, it’s not a cat.
3. Undistributed middle:
Logical Form: All A's are C's. All B's are C's. Therefore, all A’s are B’s.
Example: All babies are cry. All babies are small people. Therefore, all small people cry.
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