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The ARGUE-MENTOR PART II

Test the validity of the following argument and click on the correct answer.


All lemmings are rodents.
All rodents are followers.
Therefore, all lemmings are followers.

A. Valid
B. Invalid



















































































































Solution

Test the validity of the following argument.

All lemmings are rodents.
All rodents are followers.
Therefore, all lemmings are followers.

A. Valid
B. Invalid

You chose: A. Valid

The correct answer is: A. Valid

Let p: 'One is a lemming.'
Let q: 'One is a rodent.'
Let r: 'One is a follower.'

We have this form:
pq
qr
pr

Now we make a truth table.
pqrPREMISE
pq
PREMISE
qr
CONCLUSION
pr
TTTTTT
TTFTFF
TFTFTT
TFFFTF
FTTTTT
FTFTFT
FFTTTT
FFFTTT
Since there is no row where the conclusion is false while both premises are true, this argument is VALID. It is an example of TRANSITIVE REASONING.

Copyright 2009, 2014 James Wooland.
All rights reserved.
Not to be distributed for commercial purposes.

















































































































Solution

Test the validity of the following argument.

All lemmings are rodents.
All rodents are followers.
Therefore, all lemmings are followers.

A. Valid
B. Invalid

You chose: B. Invalid

The correct answer is: A. Valid

Let p: 'One is a lemming.'
Let q: 'One is a rodent.'
Let r: 'One is a follower.'

We have this form:
pq
qr
pr

Now we make a truth table.
pqrPREMISE
pq
PREMISE
qr
CONCLUSION
pr
TTTTTT
TTFTFF
TFTFTT
TFFFTF
FTTTTT
FTFTFT
FFTTTT
FFFTTT
Since there is no row where the conclusion is false while both premises are true, this argument is VALID. It is an example of TRANSITIVE REASONING.

Copyright 2009, 2014 James Wooland.
All rights reserved.
Not to be distributed for commercial purposes.