Philosophy 110-001: Homework Assignment
Instructions
- Late assignments will NOT be accepted.
- The total possible marks for this assignment is 20. Each question is worth 5 marks.
- Each answer must be no longer than 10 sentences. You won’t receive marks after the first 10 sentences so be precise!
- Answers must be in your own words and must be your own work!
- Is the following argument enumerative induction, a statistical syllogism, or an argument by analogy? (1 mark) Explain why it is that kind of inductive argument – i.e. Provide the definition for the argument and show how it applies to this inductive argument. (2 marks) Is this inductive argument strong or weak? (1 mark) Explain why it’s strong or weak. (1 mark)
There are many similarities between the earth and other planets in our solar system. They all revolve around the sun, just like the earth, but at different distances and in different periods. They all receive light from the sun, just like the earth. Many revolve around their axis and have periods of night and day, like earth. Some of the planets have moons as well. They all are subject to the same laws of gravitation, just like earth. From all these similarities, it’s not unreasonable to think that these other planets may, like earth, have various creatures living on them.
- Is the following argument enumerative induction, a statistical syllogism, or an argument by analogy? (1 mark) Explain why it is that kind of inductive argument – i.e. Provide the definition for the argument and show how it applies to this inductive argument. (2 marks) Is this inductive argument strong or weak? (1 mark) Explain why it’s strong or weak. (1 mark)
400 Canadians were randomly sampled. They were asked if they were happy with the way the federal government has ran the Canadian economy over the last ten years. 153 said they were satisfied; 157 said they were dissatisfied; 90 said they had no opinion. We can conclude that most Canadians are dissatisfied with how their government runs their economy.
- Analyze the following causal argument. Identify the conclusion (1 mark) and say whether the argument appeals to the Method of Agreement, the Method of Difference, the Joint Method of Agreement and Difference, or the Method of Concomitant Variation. (1 mark) Why is this argument an example of that method? (1 mark) State whether the argument is strong or weak and explain why it’s strong or weak. (2 marks)
Researchers from the National Cancer Institute announced that they have found a number of genetic markers shared by gay brothers, indicating that homosexuality has genetic roots. The investigators, reporting in Science, 16 July 1993, have found that out of 40 pairs of gay brothers examined in their study, 33 pairs shared certain DNA sequences on their X chromosome, the chromosome men inherit only from their mothers. The implicit reasoning of this report is that, if brothers who have specific DNA sequences in common are both gay, these sequences can be considered genetic markers for homosexuality.
- Analyze the following causal argument. Identify the conclusion (1 mark) and say whether the argument appeals to the Method of Agreement, the Method of Difference, the Joint Method of Agreement and Difference, or the Method of Concomitant Variation. (1 mark) Why is this argument an example of that method? (1 mark) State whether the argument is strong or weak and explain why it’s strong or weak. (2 marks)
To determine the role of specific genes, mice are bred in which certain genes have been deleted, called “knockout mice.” When normal mice are placed in a lighted room, with dark corners, they go immediately to the dark. In one recent experiment the mice, upon entering the dark, encounter a mild electric shock, and very quickly learn to stay away from those dark regions. Mice who lack a gene called Ras-GRF learn to be wary just as quickly as do normal mice. But, unlike normal mice, the knockout mice throw caution to the winds the next day, and chance the dark corners again and yet again. It appear that the Ras-GRF gene – probably very much like the analogous gene in humans – plays a critical role in the ability of the mice to remember fear. This gene is almost certainly crucial for the survival of mammals.