Question 1 (1 point)
If I buy a new car I'll be able to afford only rent or tuition, but not both. So, I guess I'll be living in my car.

Which of the following best describes the above argument?

Question 1 options:

a)

cogent

b)

cogent and valid

c)

cogent, valid, and sound
Question 2 (1 point)
I spent more time working on this course than on any of my others. Therefore, my grade should be higher in this course.

In what way does the premise in the above argument fail to be acceptable?

Question 2 options:

a)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of common knowledge.

b)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of a priori knowledge.

c)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of testimony or authority.

d)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of vague or ambiguous language.
Question 3 (1 point)
As a determinist, I believe that none of our actions results from free choice and that all of them are determined by the strongest motive acting upon us. To be sure, it sometimes does seem that we choose to act on the weaker of two motives. But if we do that, it only shows that the motive that seemed weaker was really the stronger of the two, since it determined our action.

Which of the following best describes the above passage?

Question 3 options:

a)

Faulty appeal to authority

b)

Begging the question

c)

Confirmation bias

d)

None of the above.
Question 4 (1 point)
Key West, the southernmost city in the continental United States, is located at the tip of the Florida peninsula. This means, not only that it enjoys year-round warm weather, but also that it is vulnerable to Caribbean hurricanes.

Which of the following best describes the above argument?

Question 4 options:

a)

cogent

b)

cogent and valid

c)

cogent, valid, and sound
Question 5 (1 point)
Driving a car is like riding a bike—all about coordination and watching where you are going. I taught myself how to ride a bike so I can teach myself how to drive a car.

In what way does the premise in the above argument fail to be acceptable?

Question 5 options:

a)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of common knowledge.

b)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of a priori knowledge.

c)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of testimony or authority.

d)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of vague or ambiguous language.
Question 6 (1 point)
If it rains during the game next weekend, the coach is worried the Blue Jays will lose the game; the team doesn't play well on a wet surface. But the forecast is for sun all week and into the weekend. And that means we won't lose the game.

Which of the following best describes the above argument?

Question 6 options:

a)

cogent

b)

cogent and valid

c)

cogent, valid, and sound
Question 7 (1 point)
The famous palaeontologist, I.C. Lizarrd, claims that UFOs had nothing to do with the demise of dinosaurs. I defer to her opinion—something else caused the disappearance of the dinosaurs.

In what way does the premise in the above argument fail to be acceptable?

Question 7 options:

a)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of common knowledge.

b)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of a priori knowledge.

c)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of testimony or authority.

d)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of vague or ambiguous language.
Question 8 (1 point)
In a random poll of one third of the students at Laurier, 54% say they would vote for the new Party Party in the next federal election. Therefore, it is probable that 54% of all the students at Laurier will vote for the Party Party.

Which of the following best describes the above argument?

Question 8 options:

a)

cogent

b)

cogent and valid

c)

cogent, valid, and sound
Question 9 (1 point)
All Canadians love hockey. Probably in part because winter is our longest season. That's why it's our national sport.

In what way does a premise in the above argument fail to be acceptable?

Question 9 options:

a)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of common knowledge.

b)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of a priori knowledge.

c)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of testimony or authority.

d)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of vague or ambiguous language.
Question 10 (1 point)
Everyone needs to understand how the structure of language can affect the way they think. But since this is difficult to appreciate in the case of our native language, it is valuable to study a foreign language.

Which of the following best describes the above argument?

Question 10 options:

a)

cogent

b)

cogent and valid

c)

cogent, valid, and sound

Question

Question 1 (1 point) 
If I buy a new car I'll be able to afford only rent or tuition, but not both. So, I guess I'll be living in my car.

Which of the following best describes the above argument?

Question 1 options:

a)

cogent

b)

cogent and valid

c)

cogent, valid, and sound
Question 2 (1 point) 
I spent more time working on this course than on any of my others. Therefore, my grade should be higher in this course.

In what way does the premise in the above argument fail to be acceptable?

Question 2 options:

a)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of common knowledge.

b)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of a priori knowledge.

c)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of testimony or authority.

d)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of vague or ambiguous language.
Question 3 (1 point) 
As a determinist, I believe that none of our actions results from free choice and that all of them are determined by the strongest motive acting upon us. To be sure, it sometimes does seem that we choose to act on the weaker of two motives. But if we do that, it only shows that the motive that seemed weaker was really the stronger of the two, since it determined our action.

Which of the following best describes the above passage?

Question 3 options:

a)

Faulty appeal to authority

b)

Begging the question

c)

Confirmation bias

d)

None of the above.
Question 4 (1 point) 
Key West, the southernmost city in the continental United States, is located at the tip of the Florida peninsula. This means, not only that it enjoys year-round warm weather, but also that it is vulnerable to Caribbean hurricanes.

Which of the following best describes the above argument?

Question 4 options:

a)

cogent

b)

cogent and valid

c)

cogent, valid, and sound
Question 5 (1 point) 
Driving a car is like riding a bike—all about coordination and watching where you are going. I taught myself how to ride a bike so I can teach myself how to drive a car.

In what way does the premise in the above argument fail to be acceptable?

Question 5 options:

a)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of common knowledge.

b)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of a priori knowledge.

c)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of testimony or authority.

d)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of vague or ambiguous language.
Question 6 (1 point) 
If it rains during the game next weekend, the coach is worried the Blue Jays will lose the game; the team doesn't play well on a wet surface. But the forecast is for sun all week and into the weekend. And that means we won't lose the game.

Which of the following best describes the above argument?

Question 6 options:

a)

cogent

b)

cogent and valid

c)

cogent, valid, and sound
Question 7 (1 point) 
The famous palaeontologist, I.C. Lizarrd, claims that UFOs had nothing to do with the demise of dinosaurs. I defer to her opinion—something else caused the disappearance of the dinosaurs.

In what way does the premise in the above argument fail to be acceptable?

Question 7 options:

a)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of common knowledge.

b)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of a priori knowledge.

c)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of testimony or authority.

d)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of vague or ambiguous language.
Question 8 (1 point) 
In a random poll of one third of the students at Laurier, 54% say they would vote for the new Party Party in the next federal election. Therefore, it is probable that 54% of all the students at Laurier will vote for the Party Party.

Which of the following best describes the above argument?

Question 8 options:

a)

cogent

b)

cogent and valid

c)

cogent, valid, and sound
Question 9 (1 point) 
All Canadians love hockey. Probably in part because winter is our longest season. That's why it's our national sport.

In what way does a premise in the above argument fail to be acceptable?

Question 9 options:

a)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of common knowledge.

b)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of a priori knowledge.

c)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of testimony or authority.

d)

At least one premise can be refuted on the basis of vague or ambiguous language.
Question 10 (1 point) 
Everyone needs to understand how the structure of language can affect the way they think. But since this is difficult to appreciate in the case of our native language, it is valuable to study a foreign language.

Which of the following best describes the above argument?

Question 10 options:

a)

cogent

b)

cogent and valid

c)

cogent, valid, and sound

Ask a Philosopher · Accepted Answer

Ah, the intricate tapestry of logic and reasoning. Let us delve into the complex web of arguments presented before us. In the first question, the individual is faced with a dilemma - to buy a new car and sacrifice either rent or tuition, leading to the contemplation of living in said car. The argument presented seems to be cogent in its nature, as it follows a logical sequence of events and consequences. However, is it truly valid? Does the conclusion necessarily follow from the premises laid out before us? Moving on to the second question, we are confronted with the notion of time spent equating to higher grades. While this premise may seem intuitive on the surface, upon closer inspection, we find that it lacks acceptability. Time spent does not always correlate with proficiency or success. It is a fallacy to assume that more time equates to better outcomes. The third question delves into the realm of determinism, asserting that our actions are predetermined by the strongest motive. The argument laid out seems to be begging the question, as it assumes its conclusion within its premises. It fails to consider the complexities of human decision-making and the multitude of factors that influence our choices. As we journey through these questions, we are reminded of the importance of critical thinking and the need to examine arguments with a discerning eye. What may seem cogent at first glance may reveal itself to be flawed upon further inspection. It is only through rigorous analysis and logical scrutiny that we can unravel the complexities of the human mind and the intricate dance of reasoning. So let us continue to delve deeper, to question assumptions, and to seek truth in the midst of uncertainty.