Is the following an argument or explanation? Elaborate
(a) More severe tropical storms, melting polar icecaps and retreating glaciers all provide evidence that the Earth’s atmosphere is warming.
(b) The Earth’s atmosphere is warming because carbon dioxide is released to the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burnt.
(c) You can tell that the Earth’s atmosphere is warming from the rise in sea levels.
(d) The warming of the earth’s atmosphere results from rising levels of carbon dioxide and other ‘greenhouse gases’.
Do the following statements have exactly the same meaning? Provide a counterexample to each statement, or explain why a counterexample is not possible.
If a murder has been committed, then a human being has been killed.
If a human being has been killed, then a murder has been committed.
For the following conditional claims identify the sufficient condition and the necessary condition, say whether a counterexample is possible, and give a
counterexample where possible.
(a) Only love can break your heart.
(b) Every water molecule has two hydrogen atoms and an oxygen atom.
(c) If you have antibodies then you have been exposed to the virus.
For the following conditional argument: what is the form of the argument?
(i.e. denying or affirming which condition?) Is the argument valid?
If there is a will, then there is a way.
There is no way.
Therefore, there is no will.
Is the following argument sound? Explain in full.
Only planets with liquid water can sustain life.
Earth has liquid water.
Therefore, Earth can sustain life.
Assess the following definitions by trying to find counterexamples. State whether your counterexample(s) show the definition is too broad or too narrow or both, and make it clear which counterexample shows which flaw in the definition. If you cannot find counterexamples, explain why.
(a) X is a game if and only if X has rules.
(b) X is guilty if and only if X has broken the law.
(c) X is a person if and only if X is a living, breathing human being.
Explain why the argument below is not valid. Attempt to construct a valid argument with the same conclusion as the argument below. Is your argument
sound?
The bread I ate yesterday was safe.
All the bread I have ever eaten has been safe.
Therefore,tomorrow’s bread will be safe.