Question 1
6 out of 6 points
The first step toward identifying arguments that commit the fallacy of the illicit process is
to locate the major and minor terms in an argument structure.
Selected
Answer:
Tru
e
Question 2
6 out of 6 points
Choose the best answer to fill in the blank. _______________ are frequently marked by the
use of the words “some,” “all,” or “no.”
Selected
Answer:
Categorical
syllogisms
Question 3
6 out of 6 points
The propositions in a categorical system have to comply with a rule of logic that required
that at least one premise must be affirmative.
Selected
Answer:
Tru
e
Question 4
6 out of 6 points
Like other syllogisms, syllogistic disjunction is a common way to argue both factual
disputes, legal disputes, and disputes about the application of law to facts.
Selected
Answer:
Tru
e
Question 5
6 out of 6 points
One way to spot the fallacy of the illicit process is to look for patterns of argument
featuring distributed terms in the conclusion that are not distributed in the premises.
Selected
Answer:
Tru
e
Question 6
6 out of 6 points
The propositions in a categorical syllogism have to comply with a rule of logic that
requires if either premise is negative, the conclusion must be negative.
Selected
Answer:
Tru
e
Question 7
6 out of 6 points
Law often involved labeling conduct based on elements.
Selected
Answer:
Tru
e
Question 8
6 out of 6 points
A syllogism that has one negative premise and one affirmative premise can yield either a
positive or negative conclusion.
Selected
Answer:
Fals
e
Question 9
6 out of 6 points
The hallmark of a disjunctive argument is a disjunctive proposition that presents two
alternatives, referred to as disjuncts.
Selected
Answer:
Tru
e
Question 10
6 out of 6 points
When a disjunction is inclusive, then affirming one disjunct requires denying the other.
Selected
Answer:
Fals
e
Question 11
6 out of 6 points
A valid disjunctive syllogism is one where the categorical premise denies one of the
disjuncts of the disjunctive premise and the conclusion affirms the remaining disjunct.
Selected
Answer:
Tru
e
Question 12
6 out of 6 points
Choose the best answer to fill in the blank. A __________ is typically marked by the word
“or.”
Selected
Answer:
disjunctive
syllogism
Question 13
6 out of 6 points
The fallacy of the illicit process and the fallacy of affirming a disjunct are both disjunctive
syllogisms.
Selected
Answer:
Fals
e
Question 14
6 out of 6 points
Choose the best answer to fill in the blank. The pattern of argument that commits the
_____________ is one that argues what something is from a premise about what something
is not.
Selected
Answer:
fallacy of the negative
premise
Question 15
6 out of 6 points
Determining distribution of terms is always easy.
Selected
Answer:
Fals
e
Question 16
6 out of 6 points
The fallacy of the undistributed middle term and the fallacy of the illicit process both
apply to categorical syllogisms.
Selected
Answer:
Tru
e
Question 17
6 out of 6 points
The logical fallacy of the illicit process might seem ot have some persuasive force, but it
is not a practical tool for most cases.
Selected
Answer:
Fals
e
Question 18
6 out of 6 points
Choose the best answer to fill in the blank. If the minor term is distributed in the
conclusion but not in the minor premise, the argument commits the fallacy of the
________.
Selected
Answer:
illicit minor
term
Question 19
6 out of 6 points
Choose the best answer to fill in the blank. _____________ generally take the “if . . . then”
form.
Selected
Answer:
Hypothetical
syllogisms
Question 20
6 out of 6 points
A syllogism based exclusively on negative premises is always invalid.
Selected
Answer:
Tru
e
Question 21
25.5 out of 30 points
Thoroughly discuss the Fallacy of Affirming a Disjunct in your own words (do not copy and
paste material from other sources). What is a “disjunct” in an argument? What does it
mean to “affirm” it? Can this fallacy appear in any argument? Is it limited to a specific
category of arguments? Why or why not?
Selected
Answer: What is a “disjunct” in an Argument?
We can find a disjunct in an argument because it usually has the word “or”. It can
be inclusive or exclusive. It is a proposition that takes on “either/or” form.
Meaning, both of something and either one of somethings.
An example of this is:
“You can have candy or ice cream.”
This statement can mean a person can have candy and ice cream (inclusive). It can
also mean a person can have either candy or ice cream, but not both (exclusive).
What does it mean to “Affirm” It?
To affirm a disjunct means assuming that if one of the premises is true then the
other premise has to be false. Affirming a disjunct is a form of argument in which
one disjunct of a disjunctive premise is affirmed as a premise while the other
disjunct is denied as a conclusion.
An example of this is:
Charlie is going to bed or watching tv.
Charlie is tired, so he went to bed.
Therefore, Charlie can not watch TV.
Both propositions may be true, but just because Charlie went to bed because he
was tired does not exclude the fact that he can also watch TV in bed.
Can this Fallacy Appear in any Argument? Is it limited to a specific category of
arguments? Why or why not?
Yes, this fallacy can appear in any argument, depending on how you phrase it.
Using this fallacy in an argument does not limit a person to a specific category. A
person can use this fallacy in any argument whether it is a legal or factual dispute
or about the application of the law to a certain case. However, it may be
unpersuasive because of the risk of assumption it takes on. The syllogism
becomes fallacious when it affirms the disjunct and tries to reach a conclusion.
Response
Feedback:
Great definition, good example, and great format. Do you see where you did
not accurately address the last subquestions? The following is an example of a thorough
answer to this essay question. Although it is not perfect, it serves as a solid sample of what
a proper response would be based on the information from our required texts. Please see
below:
A disjunct is a term that makes up a piece of a larger statement, which can be
called a disjunctive statement. The two disjuncts can commonly
be separated by "or" which links the two terms together. In a
disjunctive syllogism, the first proposition can be referred to as the
disjunctive proposition. The fallacy of affirming a disjunct is rather self-
explanatory. Affirming a disjunct simply means that the categorical
premise affirms one of the disjuncts in the disjunctive proposition, therefore,
invalidating any conclusion. For example. "With his breakfast, John likes coffee
or tea." "John likes coffee." "Therefore, John does not like tea." By confirming
one of the disjuncts, you are not ruling out the other. When a disjunct is
denied, it rules said disjunct out as a truthful candidate. By concluding that
one disjunct is true, you cannot conclude that the other is false. The fallacy of
affirming a disjunct can only be found in a disjunctive argument or syllogism,
as the disjunctive form only appears in such an argument or syllogism.
Without the presence of a disjunctive statement, there is no opportunity for a
disjunct to be affirmed. Thus, making the fallacy of affirming a disjunct
exclusive to disjunctive argument.
