Phil 04 - Spring 05 Second Homework

Phil 04 – Spring 07 Second Homework Anderson For the 9 AM MWF section, due Monday, Feb. 26. For the noon TR section, due Tuesday, Feb. 27.

1. The set of statements {Angela is younger than Chris. Diana is older than Brenda. Brenda is younger than Chris. Diana is older than Chris.} is a logically consistent set.

Problems 2-6, answer T or F.

2. One great advantage of having a correct explanation of a given kind of event is we can often use that information as a basis for predicting when that kind of event is likely to occur again.

3. An explanation that only partially explains why something happens is of no value to us. To be of value we have to know the full explanation.

4. Some political analysts said the November ’04 presidential election was decided on the basis of moral values. They were giving an agency explanation.

5. Two people can sometimes hold opposing positions on a given value statement and yet defend their respective positions by reasonable arguments.

6. If we assume 5 above is true, it follows that value statements cannot be objectively true.

Problems 7-10, write out the conclusion of the following pieces of reasoning in one clear and complete sentence. Reminder: Do not include any of the premises in the conclusion.

7. It may be true that people, not guns, kill people. But people with guns kill more people than people without guns. As long as the number of lethal weapons in the hands of the American people continues to grow, so will the murder rate.

8. Pornography often depicts women as servants or slaves or as otherwise inferior to men. In light of that, it seems reasonable to expect to find more women than men who are upset by pornography.

9. If you're going to buy a computer, you might as well also sign up for some lessons on how to use the thing. After all, no computer ever did any work for its owner until its owner found out how to make it work. 10. Intravenous drug use with non-sterile needles has become one of the leading causes of the spread of AIDS. Many states passed legislation allowing officials to distribute clean needles in an effort to combat this method of infection. But in eleven states, including some of the most populous, possession of hypodermic syringes without a prescription is illegal. The laws in these foot-dragging states have to be changed if we ever hope to bring this awful epidemic to an end.

11. Text, p. 73, problem 7. The author is offering a possible explanation why, in the late twentieth century, people still believe in God. (a) Why does he think people’s belief in God needs an explanation, that is, why does he find it puzzling? (b) What is his explanation for the continuing belief in God in modern times?

12. Text, p. 74, problem 8. (a) What interesting combination of events is the author of this letter attempting to explain? Caution: The answer to this question is not actually contained in the body of his letter. (b) What explanation does he give for that phenomenon?

13. Text, p. 74, problem 11. (a) What is the author trying to explain? (b) What explanation does he give for it?

14. Text, p. 75, problem 14. (a) What phenomenon is the author trying to explain? (b) What explanation does he give for it? (c) Can we, as readers of this letter at the time it was published, tell whether the author of the letter is a Republican or a Democrat?

15. Text, p. 75, problem 16. This passage contains two distinct explanations, each one being - at least in the author's opinion - partial explanations of the same phenomenon. (a) What are they each partial explanations of? (b) What are the two competing explanations? (c) What prediction about the crime rate in the years ahead does the author tell us we can make, assuming his own explanation is correct?

16. Text, p. 91, problem 8. (a) What is the conclusion of the argument? (b) Several value statements are playing a role in the argument. Which of the following, if any, are value statements that the author is assuming in his argument? (i) The costs of reducing auto thefts are borne by all New Yorkers, including those who don’t even own a car. (ii) It is rude and thoughtless to leave your car parked on the street overnight if it has a car alarm installed. (iii) People who impose special burdens on others but fail to pay for them are acting unfairly. (iv) Police should not have to spend valuable time chasing down auto thieves if there are other ways of avoiding car theft.

17. Text, p. 91, problem 10. Which one of the following is the best statement of the conclusion of the reasoning. (a) Self-cooling beverage cans are a crazy invention. (b) Congress should ban the self-cooling beverage can before it goes into production and the beverage industry’s weight gets behind it sale to consumers. (c) An environmental catastrophe is not worth the short-term profit of a few corporations. (d) We, our children and their children will pay for someone’s selfishness and convenience unless Congress acts now to prevent the fouling of the air.