PHIL 347 Week 6 Checkpoint Quiz : practice exam questions and answers

Question 1 4 / 4 pts What are the three fundamental reasoning strategies listed in the text? Question 2 6 / 6 pts What is comparative reasoning? On what skill is it based? Question 3 20 / 20 pts We learned four tests for evaluating arguments: truthfulness of the premises, logical strength, relevance, and non-circularity. How well do these tests work with respect to evaluating comparative reasoning? Consider each of the four tests. Question 4 10 / 10 pts Briefly explain how we can determine if one comparison is more comprehensive than another. Question 5 10 / 10 pts According to the text, the basic question to ask when evaluating a comparison between two objects or ideas or events is “Are they alike enough in the important ways or not?” (p. 248). What are those “important ways” that determine the credibility of conclusions based on similarities? Question 6 2 / 2 pts In your own words, define empirical reasoning. Question 7 2 / 2 pts What are the three defining characteristics of empirical reasoning? Question 8 2 / 2 pts What is meant by “the null hypothesis”? Question 9 2 / 2 pts What is the purpose of empirical reasoning?