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PHIL347N: Week 6 Quiz
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PHIL347N: Week 6 Quiz
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PHIL347N: Week 6 Quiz Questions AndAnswers
v 1. What are the three fundamental reasoning strategies listed in the text? - a. Comparative reasoning
b. Empirical reasoning
c. Ideological reasoning
What is comparative reasoning? On what skill is it based? - Comparative reasoning is this-is-like that
reasoning. We rely on something familiar to interpret and understand something that is less familiar. It is
based on pattern recognition.
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 evaluation comparative reasoning?
Consider each of the four tests - a. The four tests of evaluating arguments do not work well in evaluative
comparative reasoning because it does not seek to determine whether a conclusion is true or not.
b. Truth of the premises does not work because points of comparison are not connected in a way that
permits us to say one is more true than another
c. Logical strength reveals point of similarity and dissimilarity that make comparisons more or less
plausible, rather than logical or illogical.
d. Relevance is not easily apparent; the argument offers observations to establish relevance
e. Non-circularity does not apply because comparative inferences flow from what we know to a
projection of what may be true
Briefly explain how we can determine if one comparison is more comprehensive that another - We can
determine if a comparison is more comprehensive by assessing which one captures a greater number of
essential features.
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?". What are those "important
ways" that determine the credibility of conclusion based on similarities? - The five criteria for evaluating
comparative reasoning are familiarity, simplicity, comprehensiveness, productivity, and testability.
In your own words, define empirical reasoning - Empirical reasoning is inductive and based on
observations. It takes observations and "bottoms up" to predict probabilities.
What are the three defining characteristics of empirical reasoning? - a. Fundamentally inductive
b. Self-corrective
c. Open to scrutiny and independent verification
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