GCU Philosophy-103 Exam 1,2,3 Final
Exam and All Correct Answers 2026
Updated.
Modus Ponens - Answer P -> Q
P
--------
Q
this is a valid, deductive argument
Ex: If Kate was stung by a scorpion an hour ago, she's in pain now. Kate was stung by a scorpion
an hour ago. Therefore, Kate is in pain now.
Modus Tollens - Answer P -> Q
~Q
---------
~P
Ex: If it is Tuesday, it is a weekday. It is not a weekday. Therefore, it is not Tuesday.
Hypothetical Syllogism - Answer P -> Q
Q -> R
--------
P -> R
Ex: If Sally is in Phoenix, then she is in Arizona. If Sally is in Arizona, then she is in the United
States. Therefore, if Sally is in Phoenix, then she is in the United States.
Disjunctive Syllogism - Answer P or Q
~Q
-------
P
works like the process of elimination
Ex: Sally will go to work or the baseball game. Sally will not go to work. Therefore, Sally will go
, --------------------
B or D
Ex: If Oliver is happy he will talk to friends and if he is sad he will listen to music. Oliver is feeling
happy or sad. Therefore, Oliver will talk with friends or listen to music.
What is a sound argument? - Answer the premise must be true and the conclusion must
follow logically
Ex: All humans are mortal. Socrates is human. Therefore, Socrates is mortal.
What is a valid but unsound argument? - Answer Ex: all humans are male. Socrates is human.
Therefore, Socrates is male.
a priori knowledge - Answer the idea that we can achieve knowledge of truths about the
world by doing conceptual analysis
a posteriori knowledge - Answer the denial of a priori, knowledge can only be achieved
through perception
the "is" of existence - Answer Ex: Coach Maj is real
the "is" of essential predication - Answer Ex: Coach Maj is human
the "is" of accidental predication - Answer Ex: Coach Maj is white
the "is" of constitution - Answer Ex: Coach Maj is skin and bones
the "is" of identity - Answer Ex: Coach Maj is the coach of the men's GCU basketball team.
a valid argument - Answer has the essential feature that if the premise is true, then the
conclusion is true. the form of an argument take determines validity.
A valid argument + all true premises = sound argument
a sound argument - Answer has a valid form and all true premises. CANNOT have false
Exam and All Correct Answers 2026
Updated.
Modus Ponens - Answer P -> Q
P
--------
Q
this is a valid, deductive argument
Ex: If Kate was stung by a scorpion an hour ago, she's in pain now. Kate was stung by a scorpion
an hour ago. Therefore, Kate is in pain now.
Modus Tollens - Answer P -> Q
~Q
---------
~P
Ex: If it is Tuesday, it is a weekday. It is not a weekday. Therefore, it is not Tuesday.
Hypothetical Syllogism - Answer P -> Q
Q -> R
--------
P -> R
Ex: If Sally is in Phoenix, then she is in Arizona. If Sally is in Arizona, then she is in the United
States. Therefore, if Sally is in Phoenix, then she is in the United States.
Disjunctive Syllogism - Answer P or Q
~Q
-------
P
works like the process of elimination
Ex: Sally will go to work or the baseball game. Sally will not go to work. Therefore, Sally will go
, --------------------
B or D
Ex: If Oliver is happy he will talk to friends and if he is sad he will listen to music. Oliver is feeling
happy or sad. Therefore, Oliver will talk with friends or listen to music.
What is a sound argument? - Answer the premise must be true and the conclusion must
follow logically
Ex: All humans are mortal. Socrates is human. Therefore, Socrates is mortal.
What is a valid but unsound argument? - Answer Ex: all humans are male. Socrates is human.
Therefore, Socrates is male.
a priori knowledge - Answer the idea that we can achieve knowledge of truths about the
world by doing conceptual analysis
a posteriori knowledge - Answer the denial of a priori, knowledge can only be achieved
through perception
the "is" of existence - Answer Ex: Coach Maj is real
the "is" of essential predication - Answer Ex: Coach Maj is human
the "is" of accidental predication - Answer Ex: Coach Maj is white
the "is" of constitution - Answer Ex: Coach Maj is skin and bones
the "is" of identity - Answer Ex: Coach Maj is the coach of the men's GCU basketball team.
a valid argument - Answer has the essential feature that if the premise is true, then the
conclusion is true. the form of an argument take determines validity.
A valid argument + all true premises = sound argument
a sound argument - Answer has a valid form and all true premises. CANNOT have false
