Phil 347 Week 3 Checkpoint Complete Exam
Questions And Answers Graded A+
According to the text, how do the views of stronger, more developed critical thinkers toward
authority differ from those in earlier stages of cognitive development?
According to the text, the stronger, more developed critical thinkers are skeptical and will not believe
an authority figure unless they've done their research. They know that the word "authority" is
ambiguous and has two meanings, which can confuse. More advanced critical thinkers view authority
as someone who offers expertise.
Briefly, in your own words, state how the text defines "expert."
someone who has thoroughly learned a subject and is also experienced in the subject or field.
When presented with a claim unsupported by reasons (for example, "the health risks of vaping have
been underestimated"), what three options does a critical thinker have to evaluate such a claim?
Evaluating the substance
Evaluating the source
Obtaining an independent verification
Is the following statement true or untrue? Explain your answer. "If a claim cannot be confirmed by an
independent investigation, then it must be false."
Just because a claim can't be confirmed independently doesn't automatically make it false; it could
still be true but just unverified.
Is the following statement true or untrue? Explain your answer. "If we do not believe that a claim is
true, then we must believe that the claim is false.
This statement is untrue. The reason for this is simple, if we think the claim is not true we can still
research the claim and find out it is true.
what four conditions must an argument meet if we are to accept its worthiness and reasonableness of
its conclusion?
arguable claim or premise, use of evidence and facts, a warrant, and qualifications.
In an argument with two or more independent reasons, if one of those reasons turns out to be false,
how does a critical thinker apply the test of logical strength to the argument? Should the critical
thinker reject such an argument? Explain your answer.
A critical thinker should not reject an argument with two or more independent reasons, even if one of
those reasons is false.
Erwin is charged with statutory rape, which is defined as a having sex with a minor, a person under
the age of 18. Erwin argues: "You can't arrest me just because she's 17 and I'm 21. Yes, we had sex,
but it was consensual, plus she will be 18 in two weeks, and we are planning to get married." Which of
the four tests of worthiness does Erwin's argument fail? Explain your answer.
Erwin's argument fails the test of relevance. Even though the sex may have been consensual and the
girl will be 18 in 2 weeks, it does not free him of the charges. The law states that statutory rape is
have sex with someone under the age of 18 which is what he did.
Go to Individual Exercises at the end of Chapter 7 and evaluate Example 4, which begins "If God
intended marriage..." Assume the premises are true. Applying only tests 2, 3, and 4 (logical strength,
Questions And Answers Graded A+
According to the text, how do the views of stronger, more developed critical thinkers toward
authority differ from those in earlier stages of cognitive development?
According to the text, the stronger, more developed critical thinkers are skeptical and will not believe
an authority figure unless they've done their research. They know that the word "authority" is
ambiguous and has two meanings, which can confuse. More advanced critical thinkers view authority
as someone who offers expertise.
Briefly, in your own words, state how the text defines "expert."
someone who has thoroughly learned a subject and is also experienced in the subject or field.
When presented with a claim unsupported by reasons (for example, "the health risks of vaping have
been underestimated"), what three options does a critical thinker have to evaluate such a claim?
Evaluating the substance
Evaluating the source
Obtaining an independent verification
Is the following statement true or untrue? Explain your answer. "If a claim cannot be confirmed by an
independent investigation, then it must be false."
Just because a claim can't be confirmed independently doesn't automatically make it false; it could
still be true but just unverified.
Is the following statement true or untrue? Explain your answer. "If we do not believe that a claim is
true, then we must believe that the claim is false.
This statement is untrue. The reason for this is simple, if we think the claim is not true we can still
research the claim and find out it is true.
what four conditions must an argument meet if we are to accept its worthiness and reasonableness of
its conclusion?
arguable claim or premise, use of evidence and facts, a warrant, and qualifications.
In an argument with two or more independent reasons, if one of those reasons turns out to be false,
how does a critical thinker apply the test of logical strength to the argument? Should the critical
thinker reject such an argument? Explain your answer.
A critical thinker should not reject an argument with two or more independent reasons, even if one of
those reasons is false.
Erwin is charged with statutory rape, which is defined as a having sex with a minor, a person under
the age of 18. Erwin argues: "You can't arrest me just because she's 17 and I'm 21. Yes, we had sex,
but it was consensual, plus she will be 18 in two weeks, and we are planning to get married." Which of
the four tests of worthiness does Erwin's argument fail? Explain your answer.
Erwin's argument fails the test of relevance. Even though the sex may have been consensual and the
girl will be 18 in 2 weeks, it does not free him of the charges. The law states that statutory rape is
have sex with someone under the age of 18 which is what he did.
Go to Individual Exercises at the end of Chapter 7 and evaluate Example 4, which begins "If God
intended marriage..." Assume the premises are true. Applying only tests 2, 3, and 4 (logical strength,
