Critical Thinking: Reason and Evidence D265, D265 - WGU - Critical Thinkin
- Reason and Evidence
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_di9u5a
1. Which sentence is a non-proposition?
- If the burglar did not go out the front door, they must have gone out a window.
- The earth is the third planet from the sun.
- Where are the keys to my car?
- Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world.: Where are the keys to my
car?
2. Did the company really close that deal? It has had a great year. Where is the
president right now? Let's go ask whether the deal was closed.
In the above paragraph, which sentence expresses a proposition?
- Where is the president right now?
- Did the company really close that deal?
- Let's go ask whether the deal was closed.
- It has had a great year.: It has had a great year.
3. Propositions: Statements that can be true or false.
4. Non-propositions: Sentences that are not statements about matters of fact (or
fiction). They do not make a claim that can be true or false.
5. Which sentence expresses a complex proposition?
- Birthday parties can be really fun.
- The cat ate the food, but did not like it.
- Too many employees are used to high-stress work environments in the
United States.
- Why did the monkey escape, and who is responsible?: The cat ate the food,
but did not like it.
6. If the computer is not fixed, then the company either needs to buy a new one
or will not be able to keep up productivity.
Which of the following breaks down the complex proposition above into the
simple propositions?
- If the computer is not fixed, then the company needs to buy a new one. The
company will not be able to keep up productivity.
- The computer is not fixed. The company needs to buy a new computer. The
company will not be able to keep up productivity.
- The computer is not fixed. The company either needs to buy a new one or will
not be able to keep up productivity.
, Critical Thinking: Reason and Evidence D265, D265 - WGU - Critical Thinkin
- Reason and Evidence
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_di9u5a
- The company does not have enough computers.: The computer is not fixed.
The company needs to buy a new computer. The company will not be able to keep
up productivity.
7. Simple propositions: Simple propositions have no internal logical structure,
meaning whether they are true or false does not depend on whether part of them is
true or false. They are simply true or false on their own.
8. Complex propositions: Complex propositions have internal logical structure,
meaning they are composed of simple propositions. Whether they are true or false
depends on whether their parts are true or false.
9. If the new employee wants to succeed, then they need to show up on
time. How many times have we heard the manager complain about tardiness?
Nobody likes a 7 a.m. start time, but it was in the job description. We should
remind the new employee how important this is.
Which is a simple proposition that is expressed in the above paragraph?
- The new employee wants to succeed.
- How many times have we heard the manager complain about tardiness?
- The employees look out for each other.
- If the new employee wants to succeed, then they need to show up on
time.: The new employee wants to succeed.
10. The U.S. healthcare system is difficult to navigate, and this negatively
affects many of us. Many people are unsure exactly how their health insurance
coverage works and are not sure where they can go to get care. What can be
done to improve this? If changes are not made soon, the problem will only get
worse.
Which is a simple proposition that is expressed in the above paragraph?
- Many people are not sure where they can go to get care.
- The U.S. healthcare system is difficult to navigate, and this negatively affects
many of us.
- What can be done to improve this?
- Many people are unsure exactly how their health insurance coverage works
and are not sure where they can go to get care.: Many people are not sure where
they can go to get care.
11. Bad inferential structure: Every argument with the same structure as this
argument is bad (invalid or weak). The premises do not, in fact, demonstrate or
maybe even support the conclusion. In other words, we can accept the premises as
true without being compelled to accept the conclusion. There is something wrong
with this argument's general structure.
, Critical Thinking: Reason and Evidence D265, D265 - WGU - Critical Thinkin
- Reason and Evidence
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_di9u5a
12. False premise: This particular argument has a premise/assumption that is false.
There is something wrong with this argument's particular content.
13. Conclusion Indicators: Therefore, so, it follows that, hence, thus, entails that,
we may conclude that, implies that, wherefore, as a result
14. Premise Indicators: Because, for, given that, in that, as, since, as indicated by
15. "Since we cannot go out until the restaurant opens, and given that we are
trying to save money, we should just hang out here until closer to dinner."
Which statements are the premises of the following argument? Choose 2
answers.
- We cannot go out until the restaurant opens.
- We are trying to save money.
- We should just hang out here until closer to dinner.
- We can have a good time without spending money.: - We cannot go out until
the restaurant opens.
- We are trying to save money.
16. Most students in the class scored less than 70% on the exam. This means
that the exam was too difficult to accurately assess student learning. There-
fore, as exams are supposed to accurately assess student learning, the exam
must be revised and readministered.
Which statement is the conclusion of the above argument?
- The exam must be revised and readministered.
- Some students in the class scored higher than 70% on the exam.
- Exams are supposed to accurately assess student learning.
- Most students in the class scored less than 70% on the exam.: The exam must
be revised and readministered.
17. Which sentences are arguments? Choose 2 answers.
- We know the student cheated on the exam because the instructor caught the
student stealing glances at their neighbor's test.
- The student only cheated on the exam because their financial aid depended
on it.
- No one has ever been to the moon, so we do not know that it is not made of
cheese.
- If you suspect you have been infected with rabies, then you should contact a
, Critical Thinking: Reason and Evidence D265, D265 - WGU - Critical Thinkin
- Reason and Evidence
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_di9u5a
medical professional immediately.: - We know the student cheated on the exam
because the instructor caught the student stealing glances at their neighbor's test.
- No one has ever been to the moon, so we do not know that it is not made of cheese.
18. Which pairs of sentences are arguments? Choose 2 answers.
- Every time I walk by here, Chris is doing nothing. Chris must not do anything
with the available time.
- We need to act now to reverse greenhouse gas emissions. If we do not, the
earth will soon become inhospitable to human life.
- John Lennon was shot and killed. So were Bobby Kennedy and his brother
John.
- One student cheated on the test. But it was only because the student felt ill
prepared.: - Every time I walk by here, Chris is doing nothing. Chris must not do
anything with the available time.
- We need to act now to reverse greenhouse gas emissions. If we do not, the earth
will soon become inhospitable to human life.
19. I just heard the news about Riley's car. It was vandalized last Saturday.
There is no doubt Jordan did it. I went to the bowling alley that night. I bowled
a 160! Anyway, I saw Jordan there and, although it was barely noticeable,
I definitely saw paint on Jordan's shirt. It is unlikely there would be paint
on Jordan's shirt unless Jordan had spray-painted Riley's car. It is a shame,
really, since it was such a nice shirt. It was the green one. Oh, and you know
Jordan has motive. After all, Jordan has a well-known grudge against Riley.
You remember when Riley borrowed Jordan's lawnmower and did not return
it. And there was opportunity, because Jordan does not work on the weekend
and usually stays home watching television. But the lightning storm earlier
last week short-circuited Jordan's TV set. Besides, they canceled Jordan's
favorite Saturday evening show.
Which description best characterizes the above?
- A story
- An explanation for why something happened
- An argument
- A disconnected set of statements: An argument
- Reason and Evidence
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_di9u5a
1. Which sentence is a non-proposition?
- If the burglar did not go out the front door, they must have gone out a window.
- The earth is the third planet from the sun.
- Where are the keys to my car?
- Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world.: Where are the keys to my
car?
2. Did the company really close that deal? It has had a great year. Where is the
president right now? Let's go ask whether the deal was closed.
In the above paragraph, which sentence expresses a proposition?
- Where is the president right now?
- Did the company really close that deal?
- Let's go ask whether the deal was closed.
- It has had a great year.: It has had a great year.
3. Propositions: Statements that can be true or false.
4. Non-propositions: Sentences that are not statements about matters of fact (or
fiction). They do not make a claim that can be true or false.
5. Which sentence expresses a complex proposition?
- Birthday parties can be really fun.
- The cat ate the food, but did not like it.
- Too many employees are used to high-stress work environments in the
United States.
- Why did the monkey escape, and who is responsible?: The cat ate the food,
but did not like it.
6. If the computer is not fixed, then the company either needs to buy a new one
or will not be able to keep up productivity.
Which of the following breaks down the complex proposition above into the
simple propositions?
- If the computer is not fixed, then the company needs to buy a new one. The
company will not be able to keep up productivity.
- The computer is not fixed. The company needs to buy a new computer. The
company will not be able to keep up productivity.
- The computer is not fixed. The company either needs to buy a new one or will
not be able to keep up productivity.
, Critical Thinking: Reason and Evidence D265, D265 - WGU - Critical Thinkin
- Reason and Evidence
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_di9u5a
- The company does not have enough computers.: The computer is not fixed.
The company needs to buy a new computer. The company will not be able to keep
up productivity.
7. Simple propositions: Simple propositions have no internal logical structure,
meaning whether they are true or false does not depend on whether part of them is
true or false. They are simply true or false on their own.
8. Complex propositions: Complex propositions have internal logical structure,
meaning they are composed of simple propositions. Whether they are true or false
depends on whether their parts are true or false.
9. If the new employee wants to succeed, then they need to show up on
time. How many times have we heard the manager complain about tardiness?
Nobody likes a 7 a.m. start time, but it was in the job description. We should
remind the new employee how important this is.
Which is a simple proposition that is expressed in the above paragraph?
- The new employee wants to succeed.
- How many times have we heard the manager complain about tardiness?
- The employees look out for each other.
- If the new employee wants to succeed, then they need to show up on
time.: The new employee wants to succeed.
10. The U.S. healthcare system is difficult to navigate, and this negatively
affects many of us. Many people are unsure exactly how their health insurance
coverage works and are not sure where they can go to get care. What can be
done to improve this? If changes are not made soon, the problem will only get
worse.
Which is a simple proposition that is expressed in the above paragraph?
- Many people are not sure where they can go to get care.
- The U.S. healthcare system is difficult to navigate, and this negatively affects
many of us.
- What can be done to improve this?
- Many people are unsure exactly how their health insurance coverage works
and are not sure where they can go to get care.: Many people are not sure where
they can go to get care.
11. Bad inferential structure: Every argument with the same structure as this
argument is bad (invalid or weak). The premises do not, in fact, demonstrate or
maybe even support the conclusion. In other words, we can accept the premises as
true without being compelled to accept the conclusion. There is something wrong
with this argument's general structure.
, Critical Thinking: Reason and Evidence D265, D265 - WGU - Critical Thinkin
- Reason and Evidence
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_di9u5a
12. False premise: This particular argument has a premise/assumption that is false.
There is something wrong with this argument's particular content.
13. Conclusion Indicators: Therefore, so, it follows that, hence, thus, entails that,
we may conclude that, implies that, wherefore, as a result
14. Premise Indicators: Because, for, given that, in that, as, since, as indicated by
15. "Since we cannot go out until the restaurant opens, and given that we are
trying to save money, we should just hang out here until closer to dinner."
Which statements are the premises of the following argument? Choose 2
answers.
- We cannot go out until the restaurant opens.
- We are trying to save money.
- We should just hang out here until closer to dinner.
- We can have a good time without spending money.: - We cannot go out until
the restaurant opens.
- We are trying to save money.
16. Most students in the class scored less than 70% on the exam. This means
that the exam was too difficult to accurately assess student learning. There-
fore, as exams are supposed to accurately assess student learning, the exam
must be revised and readministered.
Which statement is the conclusion of the above argument?
- The exam must be revised and readministered.
- Some students in the class scored higher than 70% on the exam.
- Exams are supposed to accurately assess student learning.
- Most students in the class scored less than 70% on the exam.: The exam must
be revised and readministered.
17. Which sentences are arguments? Choose 2 answers.
- We know the student cheated on the exam because the instructor caught the
student stealing glances at their neighbor's test.
- The student only cheated on the exam because their financial aid depended
on it.
- No one has ever been to the moon, so we do not know that it is not made of
cheese.
- If you suspect you have been infected with rabies, then you should contact a
, Critical Thinking: Reason and Evidence D265, D265 - WGU - Critical Thinkin
- Reason and Evidence
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_di9u5a
medical professional immediately.: - We know the student cheated on the exam
because the instructor caught the student stealing glances at their neighbor's test.
- No one has ever been to the moon, so we do not know that it is not made of cheese.
18. Which pairs of sentences are arguments? Choose 2 answers.
- Every time I walk by here, Chris is doing nothing. Chris must not do anything
with the available time.
- We need to act now to reverse greenhouse gas emissions. If we do not, the
earth will soon become inhospitable to human life.
- John Lennon was shot and killed. So were Bobby Kennedy and his brother
John.
- One student cheated on the test. But it was only because the student felt ill
prepared.: - Every time I walk by here, Chris is doing nothing. Chris must not do
anything with the available time.
- We need to act now to reverse greenhouse gas emissions. If we do not, the earth
will soon become inhospitable to human life.
19. I just heard the news about Riley's car. It was vandalized last Saturday.
There is no doubt Jordan did it. I went to the bowling alley that night. I bowled
a 160! Anyway, I saw Jordan there and, although it was barely noticeable,
I definitely saw paint on Jordan's shirt. It is unlikely there would be paint
on Jordan's shirt unless Jordan had spray-painted Riley's car. It is a shame,
really, since it was such a nice shirt. It was the green one. Oh, and you know
Jordan has motive. After all, Jordan has a well-known grudge against Riley.
You remember when Riley borrowed Jordan's lawnmower and did not return
it. And there was opportunity, because Jordan does not work on the weekend
and usually stays home watching television. But the lightning storm earlier
last week short-circuited Jordan's TV set. Besides, they canceled Jordan's
favorite Saturday evening show.
Which description best characterizes the above?
- A story
- An explanation for why something happened
- An argument
- A disconnected set of statements: An argument
