2) While 1[colleges and universities have come under heavy criticism in the last decade,]
2
[they will undoubtedly remain a vital force in American social life for generations to
come.] For one thing, although 3[both the public and the media seem to have a thirst for
stories about people who’ve gotten rich or famous with only a high school degree,] the
fact remains that 4[a college or university degree is the surest way to increase one’s social
and occupational status.] For another, 5[college grads as a group indicate higher levels of
satisfaction with their lives than do those with lesser educational attainments.] Finally,
6
[you show me a nation with a weak system of higher education and I’ll show you a
nation with little power.] And 7[Americans will never willingly accept a position of
relative powerlessness among the nations of the world.]
Answer questions ‘a’ to ‘h’ below from the passage immediately above.
a) Give two (2) reasons as to how you know that the above passage is an argument. (2
marks)
This passage is an argument because it contains premises and a conclusion.
b) Identify from the above passage and explain any two (2) violations of well-crafted arguments.
(2 marks)
Excess verbiage is found in premises 3 and 4 namely the examples of discount and assurance and also the
confusion of sub conclusions with final conclusions. Excess verbiage are words or statements that add
nothing to the argument and confusing the sub conclusion with the final conclusions happens when the
author argues in steps by the first claim, the sub conclusion and then uses it to argue for the final
conclusion.
c) In composing a well-crafted version of the above argument, how is each of the violations
identified above dealt with? (2 marks)
For not confusing the sub conclusion with the main conclusion the argument is restructured and we place
and for excess verbiage we remove the discount and assurances.
d) Construct an argument diagram to show the links between the statements. (3 marks)
5
6+7
4
2
e) What is the relationship between statements 6 and 7 on the argument diagram? (1 mark)
The relationship between 6 and 7 is that both premises are interdependent and in conjunction
with the other.
f) Is this argument an example of an inductive or a deductive argument? (1 mark)
This argument is an example of a inductive argument.
g) How can you tell whether this argument is valid, invalid weak or strong? (1 mark)
The argument is strong because the premises provided probable true support to the conclusion.
h) Of all the methods of testing arguments that were employed in this module between units 1 to
7, which one is the most appropriate for testing the above argument? (1 mark)
i)
Construct an argument that is an example of an enthymeme. (1 marks)
Mary is a mathematics teacher. So Mary knows all the mathematical formulas.
j)
Explain exactly what makes your example in ‘i’ above an enthymeme. (1 mark)
This is an enthymeme because one of the premises has not been stated.
k) Provide two (2) examples of formal fallacies. (2 marks)
All tigers are carnivores. All lions are carnivores. All tigers are lions.
If it is sunny, then I will wear a hat. I am wearing a hat. So, it is sunny.
l)
Explain what makes these forms fallacious. (1 mark)
These forms are fallacious because they have errors in structure of the argument.
m) Test these forms to confirm that they are fallacious and misleading. (3 marks)
n) Determine the validity of the form ‘If A then B. Not B. So, A’ by using a truth table. Explain
your results. (5 marks)
o) Construct a counterexample to test the validity of the form in ‘n’ above. (3 marks)
p) Interpret your results for ‘o’ above. (1 mark)