Problem Set Inductive Arguments (S18 Rev) 2
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School
San Jose State University *
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Course
21
Subject
Linguistics
Date
Jan 9, 2024
Type
Pages
4
Uploaded by HighnessAardvark3997
Instructions: Complete the following problems, and then upload the completed problem set to Canvas by the specified due date/time. This problem set has TWO parts.
Part I: Analysis of Inductive Arguments (20 points, 2 points each question)
For each of the following inductive arguments do these
things:
•
Based on the evidence used, decide and state which type of inductive argument is being made.
•
Evaluate the argument and state if the argument is strong or weak
, and briefly explain why (assume all premises are cogent, or true).
Example:
Dr. Jasmine Lee is an authority on arguments, and she claims that an argument by example has two premises. Therefore, it is most likely true that an argument by example has two premises.
Answer:
•
This is an argument by authority because the claim is supported with expert testimony.
•
The argument is strong. If we assume that it is true that Dr. Lee is an authority on arguments, she would be an authority on how many premises there are in an argument by example.
1.
You should be supportive of the continuation of the DACA law. After all, Democratic and Republican members of Congress like John McCain and Dianne Feinstein support it.
a.
This is an argument by authority because the claim is supported by both Democratic and Republican Congress members.
b.
The argument is strong. If we assume that John McCain and Dianne Feinstein are authority on congressional matters, they would be an authority on whether a law should be continued or not.
2.
A poll conducted yesterday at the Right Stuff health club on Blossom Hill Road in San Jose found that people work out three times a week. Wow! Based on that poll I’d have to conclude that all of the citizens of San Jose are very healthy!
a.
This is an inductive generalization because the claim is considered to be probably true based on information about a poll from Right Stuff health club.
b.
This argument is weak. The poll was conducted at a health club, in which the people attending probably live healthy as well. The polling pool is too small. This does not mean that all citizens of San Jose are healthy.
3.
Why is Kanye West always in a bad mood? The National Enquirer and Star Magazine say that Kanye West is always upset (and is demanding that North West take a paternity test) because he suspects that Kim Kardashian cheated on him. [Hint: while you can assume that these stories did appear in the sources listed, you might want to evaluate the reliability of the sources before deciding if the argument is strong or weak] a.
This is a causal argument because the claim asserts that Kim Kardashian cheating on Kanye is the cause of his bad mood.
b.
This argument is weak, because The National Enquirer
and Star Magazine
are not reliable sources, and cannot effectively assert that Kim Kardashian cheating is the cause of his bad mood.
4.
Snapchat and Instagram are both social media platforms. Both are very, very important to students. Adam was really upset when Snapchat went down, so it’s likely that he’d be just as upset if Instagram wasn’t available. Ling 21 Online Problem Set #4 Inductive Arguments (GELO 4,5 CLO 1,3)
a.
This is a predictive argument because the prediction that Adam will be upset if Instagram is not available is defended with reasons that he was upset when Snapchat went down and that both social media platforms are important to students.
b.
This argument is strong, because the chances of Adam being upset at Instagram’s shut-down is likely higher than the chances of him not being upset.
5.
I aced my open-book yoga test this morning; it was ridiculously easy. I bet that I will also ace my applied calculus exam tomorrow. So, why study tonight? a.
This is an argument from analogy because the yoga test and applied calculus exam are compared to be alike in difficulty level.
b.
This argument is weak, because an open-book yoga test and an applied calculus exam are not similar, and an analogy of grades cannot be made from it.
6.
Hurricane Hilda is expected to be a weak tropical depression when it passes over or near the Big Island of Hawaii later this week; virtually every system approaching Hawaii from the east since 1950 has eventually weakened to a tropical storm or depression by the time it reached the islands. a.
This argument is a statistical argument because it relies on the evidence that every system approaching Hawaii from the east since 1950 has eventually weakened to a tropical storm or depression by the time it reached the islands.
b.
This argument is strong because the statistical evidence is strong and the likelihood of Hurricane Hilda being a weak tropical depression is high.
7.
95% of American college students drink coffee. I want to buy my roommate a birthday gift. So, I think I’ll buy her a Starbucks gift card. a.
This is a statistical argument because it relies on the evidence that 95% of American college students drink coffee. b.
This argument is strong because the statistical evidence is strong and the likelihood of her roommate liking coffee is high.
8.
After drinking shots at the party last night, I drank a Diet Coke right before going to bed. I feel HORRIBLE today. Must have been the Diet Coke. I’m not ever drinking Diet Coke again!
a.
This argument is a causal argument because the narrator feeling horrible today is said to be caused by the drinking of Diet Coke.
b.
This is a weak argument because it is highly unlikely that the Diet Coke was the cause of the narrator feeling horrible, especially after drinking shots which are more likely to cause one to feel horrible in the morning after.
9.
I saw on Facebook that if you type “Alt-M” into the search box you’ll get a check for $1000 in the mail in 5 days. Must be true if it is on Facebook; you should do it, too!
a.
This is an argument from authority because the claim is supported by assuming Facebook is reliable.
b.
This is a weak argument because it is highly unlikely that this is true, and a Facebook ad is probably not reliable.
Ling 21 Online Problem Set #4 Inductive Arguments (GELO 4,5 CLO 1,3)
10.Many students at my university take longer than four years to graduate. I suspect that a lot of this has to do with the fact that many of them are working while going to college, and going to school part-time allows them to continue their education while they are making money.
a.
This is a causal argument because the claim that many students take longer to graduate is supported with the evidence that many are working while going to college.
b.
This is a strong argument because the likelihood that this is the reason why students do not have enough time to stay 100% on track with their education is high.
Score Part I: ___________
Part II.
Drawing Logical Inferences
For the following arguments, read carefully the information you are given (the premises) and circle the letter of what would be the most logical conclusion to draw from that evidence. 5 points, 1 point each correct response.
1. Every summer, when the cotton wood trees bloom, you start to sneeze and your eyes water and itch. This morning, you saw a few cotton wood blossoms floating by. You can therefore logically conclude that: A. Summer has just officially started
B. You had better go out and buy some tissues C. There are more cotton wood trees in the area than any other species 2. Each time you go to Target, you end up buying far more than you had planned on. You carefully make a list and plan to spend $25, but usually spend four times that amount. You can therefore logically conclude that: A. Target charges too much for its products B. You need more items than you had originally thought C. A need for immediate gratification is one of your main traits 3. For the past six months, you have gotten a monthly massage. The therapist advises you to drink a big glass of water after each session, but you never do. Following each massage, you get a terrible headache. You can therefore logically conclude that: A. Massages cause massive dehydration B. Not drinking water is a serious health hazard C. Massages may very likely give you headaches 4. Your older brother gave you a Keurig coffee maker for Christmas. Every time you brew a cup of coffee, it only makes half of the amount that it is supposed to. You have tried several brands of coffee pods but it doesn't make any difference. You can therefore logically conclude that: A. There is a malfunction with the coffee pot B. It is time for you to stop drinking coffee C. Different coffee pods produce different results
Ling 21 Online Problem Set #4 Inductive Arguments (GELO 4,5 CLO 1,3)
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5. Every June, your Aunt Leia sends you a birthday check in the mail. Every July, your Uncle Han sends you a check with a belated birthday card. When you go out to the mailbox on June 16, there is an envelope with your name on it waiting inside. You can therefore logically conclude that you are getting: A. A check early from your Uncle Han B. Aunt Leia's card C. A letter from a friend
Score Part II: __________
Total Score (out of 25): __________
Ling 21 Online Problem Set #4 Inductive Arguments (GELO 4,5 CLO 1,3)