Logic in Daily Reasoning
This week we are going to focus on basic logic and how you can use logic outside of the classroom. Unfortunately, many of our daily interactions include logical errors. Not all things that we call illogical are really logical errors.
Consider the following four arguments.
Pick one and only one of them.
For the argument you chose do you think that is a logical argument? Why do you say that?,
Explain this in terms of the logic involved using the terminology of our text., An argument is logical provided that the conclusion is guaranteed to be true when the premises are true., The premises could be false but if they were true the conclusion would be forced to be true if the conclusion can be false while the premises are true the argument is not logical., Arguments are determined logical or not based on how the statements work together., Arguments are logical or not and never true or false., Individual propositions are true or false and never logical or illogical., Two common errors: Illogical is not the same thing as irrational. Logical is not the same thing as reasonable. People often make those equivalences in their heads, but they are wrong.
If you introduce terminology from other sources, you must provide APA style citations and references and explain what the terms mean. Be sure your explanation is complete. It is important to realize that an argument can be logical even if some of its components are false.
Arguments:
- If it rains the sidewalk will be wet. The sidewalk is wet. Therefore it rained.
- I have seen homeless people stealing shopping carts from Safeway. Safeway has a shortage of shopping carts. Therefore the shortage of shopping carts is due to homelessness
- Joan said that she would either go to the beach or watch TV. Joan was seen at the beach. Therefore Joan did not watch TV.
- All Space Aliens have rust colored fur. ALF is a Space Alien. Therefore ALF has rust colored fur.
Be sure to use terms and concepts from the content covered this week to support your decision.
This is a challenging discussion question, and I expect there will be many errors, and I expect to point them out as we go. This is how we can learn this concept.
Be sure and watch the two logic videos before you try to answer this – it should clarify a couple of the common errors
Response Requirements
- By Thursday, respond to the prompt above in a minimum of 175 words and a maximum of 250 words..
- By Monday, post a total of 3 substantive responses over 2 separate days for full participation. This includes your initial post and 2 replies to classmates or your faculty member.