Order 1523347: Book report

Logic Book Report Project (100 points 10% of final grade)

1. Due May 1st before class.

a. Late papers will not be graded.

2. Pick a book and let me know before Feb. 7 (5pts)

a. If you missed the Feb. 7th deadline you should still let me know what book you are working on ASAP

b. The book list is in the syllabus and the books should be bought online

3. For each chapter covered in the logic textbook (by Copi) make a connection to the book you are reading, i.e., put the logic you have studied to work in evaluated the book. You should clearly label each of these as a section in your paper (5pts).

a. Based on the material in chapter one you should:

i. Identify an enthymemes used by the author (see Ch. 7 as well ) (5pts)

ii. Show an inductive argument the author uses (5pts)

iii. Show a deductive argument the author uses (5pts)

b. Based on the material in chapter two you should:

i. Paraphrase the main argument of the book (10pts)

1. Use references from the book you are reading to support your paraphrase

ii. Diagram the main argument of the book (5pts)

iii. Besides putting the argument into a diagram you should also reduce the author’s argument to one of three deductively valid forms (10pts):

1. Modus Ponens

2. Modus Tollens

3. Hypothetical syllogism

iv. Can you find an example of “Ockham’s Razor” in the book? If so include it in your paper with a page number reference. (5pts)

c. Based on the material in chapter three you should:

i. Identify terms that the author defines. What kind of definition does the author depend on? Be sure to provide several examples (at least 3) of specific words. (5pts)

ii. Identify which type of disagreement the author engages in. They might engage only in one of the three types or all three, be sure to point out the examples of the disagreement(s) and use page number references. (5pts)

d. Based on the material in chapter four you should:

i. Identify a formal fallacy that either the author commits in the book or one that the author is identifying in someone else. NOTE: it is possible that your author does not commit a formal fallacy, if that is the case provide evidence. (5pts)

ii. Identify at least 3 informal fallacies (10pts)

1. These could be from your author

2. These could (more likely) be identified in your author’s arguments against others, those they attack

e. Based on the material in chapters five and six you should:

i. Reduce the main argument of the book to a deductive syllogism using categorical propositions. (10pts)

1. What is the major term?

2. What is the minor term?

3. What is the middle term?

ii. Diagram the deductive syllogism (5pts)

1. What is its mood?

2. What is its figure

3. Explain whether the syllogism is valid or invalid.

4. Have a final section of your paper that presents your well-reasoned opinion. That is, state what you think is good or bad about the book. For this final section you will be graded on how well you support your views. To make yourself credible don’t just present a “straw man,” be sure to say what the author did right but also feel free to criticize. (10pts)

5. Papers should be typed, double spaced and well edited:

a. Re-read and edit your papers before turning them in. There should be hardly any grammar or spelling mistakes. I recommend reading your paper out loud before your submit it and having someone else read it too.

i. 1 mistakes = 0 points off

ii. 2-3 = 5 points off

iii. 4-5 = 10 points off

iv. More than 5 = 15 points off

6. Have a title for your paper 2pts (be creative)

7. Do not use any outside sources. I want to see your thoughts and thinking not the Internet’s. If you use other sources you will get a zero for the assignment.