Review Questions

Unit 1: The Foundations of Logic & Language (Ch. 1–5)

1. The Anatomy of Arguments: What is the difference between a Deductive argument and an Inductive argument? Which one deals with “certainty” and which deals with “probability”?

2. Validity vs. Soundness: Can an argument be logically Valid even if the premises are factually false? What is required for an argument to be Sound?

3. The Power of Definition: Why are Lexical Definitions important in a debate, and how does a Precise Definition help avoid the fallacy of Equivocation?

4. Emotive Language: How do Slanting Devices (like euphemisms or dysphemisms) function to bypass a person’s critical thinking?

5. Fallacy Identification: * If someone attacks a person’s character rather than their argument, which fallacy are they committing?

   • If a person claims a small first step will inevitably lead to a total disaster, what is that called?

Unit 2: Deduction & Induction (Ch. 6–8)

6. Categorical Logic: In a Venn diagram, what does a shaded area represent versus an “X”? How do you visualize the claim “No mammals are birds”?

7. Propositional Logic: Define the truth-functional rules for a Conditional ($P \rightarrow Q$). In what specific scenario is a conditional statement false?

8. Formal Fallacies: Explain why Affirming the Consequent is a logical error. Provide a real-world example.

9. Inductive Strength: What makes an Argument by Analogy strong? How do you weaken an analogical argument?

10. Causal Reasoning: According to Mill’s Methods, how do we determine the cause of an event using the Method of Difference?

Unit 3: Knowledge & Reality (Ch. 9–11)

11. Epistemology: Contrast Rationalism (Plato/Descartes) with Empiricism (Locke/Hume). Where does each believe knowledge originates?

12. The Problem of Skepticism: What is the “Evil Genius” or “Brain in a Vat” thought experiment designed to prove about our sensory certainty?

13. Metaphysics: Distinguish between Dualism (Mind and Body are separate) and Physicalism (The Mind is a function of the Brain).

14. Personal Identity: If you replace every part of a ship (The Ship of Theseus), is it still the same ship? How does this apply to the human “Self”?

15. The Observer Effect: How does the fact that our brains “construct” our reality (Internal Values) impact our ability to see objective truth?

Unit 4: Epistemic Authority & Ethics (Ch. 12–13)

16. Expert Litmus Test: What four criteria must an Epistemic Authority meet before a Reasonable Person should defer to their judgment?

17. Mitigated Skepticism: How does this stance differ from Global Skepticism? Why is the latter considered self-defeating?

18. Strong Objectivity: According to Sandra Harding, why does starting research from the lives of marginalized groups lead to more objective knowledge?

19. Moral Frameworks: * If you save a life because it results in the “Greatest Good,” which theory are you using?

    • If you save a life because it is your “Universal Duty,” which theory are you using?

20. Virtue Ethics: Explain Aristotle’s Golden Mean. How does one determine the “virtue” between the vices of deficiency and excess?

Unit 5: Meaning & The Life Worth Living (Ch. 14)

21. Existence Precedes Essence: In your own words, explain Sartre’s claim that humans have no pre-set purpose.

22. The “Bad Faith” Trap: Why is it considered “Bad Faith” to say “I have no choice”? Provide an example from student life.

23. The Absurd: How does Albert Camus suggest we find happiness in a world that offers no inherent meaning?

24. Aesthetics: Why is the “disinterested” appreciation of beauty considered a necessary component of human flourishing?

25. The Practical Major: Based on the data, how does a background in philosophy prepare a student for “future-proof” career success?