PH#2

Study Guide for Test #2

Be familiar with:

· What logical validity means

· How to translate arguments into propositional form

· The truth-tables for the Logical Operators and calculating truth-tables for logical expressions

· How to test arguments for logical validity using truth-tables

· How to recognize the following arguments:

· Statistical Generalizations/Statistical Applications

· Inference to Best Explanation

· Argument from Analogy

· How to judge the strength of:

· Statistical Generalizations/Statistical Applications

· Claims that something is a Necessary Condition (for something else) [use NCT]

· Claims that something is a Sufficient Condition (for something else) [use SCT]

· Inference to Best Explanation

· Argument from Analogy

What the test will force you to do:

· Answer claims about some theoretical concepts (just like the T/F section on the last test)

· 5 problems at 2 pts each

· Translate arguments from Standard Form to propositional form

· 2 Problems at 4 pts each (easier)

· Translate arguments from prose to propositional form

[this will require you to arrange in Standard Form at the same time using skills from the last section]

· 1 Problem at 5 pts (harder)

· Provide truth-tables for the a single symbolic expression

· 2 problems at 3 pts each

· Test an argument in propositional form for logical validity (using truth-tables)

· 2 problems at 5 pts each

· Evaluate a set of cases for necessary and sufficient conditions by using NCT and SCT

· 2 problems at 3 pts each (easy type with letters)

· 1 problem at 5 pts (harder type with words)

· Identify Statistical Generalizations and Applications as strong or weak

· Requires answering 3 questions:

· Is it a stat gen or stat app?

· What is the ref class? Sample/subset?

· Is it weak or strong? Why? (this has you using the criteria for each argument)

(these answers can be quicker and to the point – the next set of problems I want you to spend more time on)

· 4 problems at 7 pts each

· Analyze examples of Inference to the Best Explanation and Argument from Analogy for strength

· These are the longer answer problems for this exam

· Explain how the argument stacks up on each criterion

· 2 problems at 12 pts each