HW Questions #1

Directions:

  • Provide complete explanations for each of the 10 questions/problems, determining whether each is an argument.
  • Include the indicator words that help differentiate premises and conclusions.
  • Format and upload answers in a separate document.
  • Ensure full name is on the document.

Questions/Problems:

1. Argument Identification
  • Main Claim: She did not meet her weight requirement because this wrestler is disqualified and all wrestlers must meet their weight requirement.
  • Indicator Words: "because" (premise indicator), "The conclusion is obvious" (conclusion indicator).
  • Argument Structure: The statement supports the conclusion of disqualification with premises indicating the conditions set for weight requirements for wrestlers.
2. Argument Identification
  • Main Claim: It reasonably follows that Smith is not a suspect.
  • Indicator Words: "if… then" (premise indicator), "It is given that" (premise indicator), "It reasonably follows, then" (conclusion indicator).
  • Argument Structure: The premises suggest that if police had known about the motive, Smith would be a suspect. Lack of knowledge leads to concluding that he is not.
3. Argument Identification
  • Main Claim: God must be the first cause of everything.
  • Indicator Words: "There must be," "Only" (premise indicators), "must be" (conclusion indicator).
  • Argument Structure: The argument uses the premises of causality to assert that a necessary first cause exists, identified as God.
4. Argument Identification
  • Main Claim: Classical music is awful.
  • Indicator Words: "This claim is justified since" (premise indicator).
  • Argument Structure: The premise includes personal experience in music training to justify a negative opinion about classical music.
5. Argument Identification
  • Main Claim: I missed the turn.
  • Indicator Words: "I realized" (conclusion indicator).
  • Argument Structure: The claim of missing a turn is based on the premises regarding the visibility of the road map and its written information.
6. Argument Identification
  • Main Claim: Paul paid his college tuition to Indiana University because…
  • Indicator Words: "because" (premise indicator).
  • Argument Structure: The premise states a generalized requirement for earning a degree that supports the conclusion regarding Paul's action of paying tuition.
7. Argument Identification
  • Main Claim: The merchandise in Johnny's car was stolen by him.
  • Indicator Words: "it is obvious that," "this is especially clear because" (conclusion indicators).
  • Argument Structure: The argument builds from the premise of existing doubt regarding Johnny's character and evidence of video footage to conclude the merchandise was stolen.
8. Argument Identification
  • Main Claim: You should ride your bike to school today.
  • Indicator Words: "since" (premise indicator), "another reason is" (premise indicator).
  • Argument Structure: The argument presents health benefits and past behavior as premises leading to the recommendation to ride a bike today.
9. Argument Identification
  • Main Claim: I was surprised to not see an accident last night.
  • Indicator Words: "this is why" (conclusion indicator).
  • Argument Structure: The premise describes typical seasonal conditions leading the speaker to be surprised by an absence of accidents.
10. Argument Identification
  • Main Claim: It follows that Indiana University has good players and good coaches.
  • Indicator Words: "In view of the fact that" (premise indicator), "it follows that" (conclusion indicator).
  • Argument Structure: The conclusion is derived from the premises linking the quality of players/coaches to the team's success in winning championships.