PHIL 252 Assignment 2 / PHIL252 Assignment 2: Athabasca University, Calgary

PHIL 252 Assignment 2
If there were “buffer zones” for wildlife protection around national parks, then large mammals such as bears
would have enough habitat to survive. But that is not so—we allow strip mining and every other type of
development right outside of national parks, with no restrictions. The conclusion is obvious.


Pattern 1
(1)If A, then B
(2)Not B
___________________________________________________

∴ Not A.

A. If there were “buffer zones” for wildlife protection around national parks, large mammals would have
enough habitat to survive.
B.We allow strip mining and every other type of development right outside of national parks.
___________________________________________________
∴ Strip mining and every other type of development right outside of the national parks do not allow
large mammals enough habitat to survive.

Pattern 2

(1)Either A or B
(2)If B, then C
___________________________________________________

∴ If not A, then C

We allow strip mining and every other type of development outside of national parks. If only there were
“buffer zones” for wildlife protection around national parks.

If there were “buffer zones” for wildlife protection around national parks, large mammals would have
enough habitat to survive.
___________________________________________________
∴ Large mammals would have enough habitat to survive.


Pattern 3
(1)If A, then B
(2)If B, then C
___________________________________________________

∴ If A, then C


If there were “buffer zones” for wildlife protection around national parks, large mammals would have
enough habitat to survive.

, Large mammals do not have enough habitat to survive because of strip mining and every other type of
development outside of national parks.
___________________________________________________
∴ If there were “buffer zones” for wildlife protection, there would be no strip mining and other
developments outside of national parks.

Ans 2

Some S are P
All M are S
Therefore, Some P are not M.

This argument is valid because some of the space that M and P share is blocked off.




All Legislation that can’t be enforced leads to disrespect for the law.
Legislation making marijuana possession a criminal offense leads to disrespect for the law.
Marijuana possession can’t be enforced.

L=Legislation All L are E
M= Marijuana Possession All L are M
E= Enforced All M are not E


In the diagram, there is space between E and M open, making the argument invalid because marijuana
possession charges can lead to respect for the law.