The color I experience when I see something as “green” has a…
The color I experience when I see something as “green” has a particular quality (that is difficult to describe). You and I are both human beings, so the color you experience when you see something green probably has the exact same quality. (That is, what you and I experience when we see something green is the exact same experiential color.) What is the relevant similarity in between the two cases compared in this analogical argument?
Read DetailsA randomized telephone poll in the United States asked 20,00…
A randomized telephone poll in the United States asked 20,000 respondents whether they supported a) a policy that allows killing innocent children in the womb or b) a policy that saves the lives of innocent children in the womb. The results showed that 69% of respondents choose option “b” over option “a.” The generalization was made that “most Americans favor a policy that disallows abortion.” What is the problem with drawing this conclusion?
Read DetailsConsider the following argument: “If a single cell, under a…
Consider the following argument: “If a single cell, under appropriate conditions, becomes a person in the space of a few years, there can surely be no difficulty in understanding how, under appropriate conditions, a cell may, in the course of untold millions of years, give origin to the human race.” [Herbert Spencer] What kind of argument is this?
Read DetailsWhich of the following is not a relevant similarity being ap…
Which of the following is not a relevant similarity being appealed to in the following analogical argument? Fruit has many attributes that are good for your health. Fruits provide energy, roughage, sugars, citric acid, vitamins and minerals. The new candy bar, Chocolate Peanut Gooies, provides energy, roughage, sugar, citric acid and vitamins and minerals. How can it not be good for your health?
Read DetailsWhat best characterizes the problem or problems with the fol…
What best characterizes the problem or problems with the following argument, assuming the information provided in the premises is correct?A random, nationwide poll of several thousand gun owners shows that 80 percent of them are opposed to gun-control laws. Thus, most adults oppose gun-control laws.
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