¶ … Tick just one. Can the following discourse be reasonably interpreted as containing an argument?

If we command our wealth, we shall be rich and free; if our wealth commands us, we are poor indeed. So if we do not want to lose our wealth and freedom, we should see to it that we are masters of our wealth, not the other way around.

(The main points of this discourse are borrowed from Edmund Burke, Letters On a Regicide Peace (1796))

(a) YES

(b) NO

(1) Scott said that if the light was on when we came by, we could be assured that he was home, and (2) the light isn't on. Therefore, (3) Scott must not be home.

(Adapted from T.Edward Damer, Attacking Faulty Reasoning: A Practical Guide to Fallacy-Free Arguments, Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2009, 6th edition, p.89)

Which of (a), (b), (c) or (d) is correct in relation to the above argument?

(a) (2) and (3) are the premises

(b) The conclusion is (2)

(c) (1) and (2) are the premises

(d) (1) and (3) are the premises

Question 3.

From the list of words and phrases that often function as inference-indicators preceding conclusions (see Topic Notes 1, pp.2-3) select, at your wish, one item and construct a short discourse in which the item of your choice occurs but does not indicate the presence of an inference.

Two plus three equals five. So math is boring.

Question 4.

From the list of words and phrases that often function as inference-indicators preceding premises (see Topic Notes 1, p.3) select, at your wish, one item and construct a short discourse...

I just filed the car up with gas. Therefore, we can drive the car for at least three hundred miles.
Question 5.

Draw a structure diagram for the following argument.

(Note that the argument is already broken down into five parts; so, to match the argument, your diagram should also consist of these five parts: (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5).)

(1) Jack and Mary were lovers some time ago. (2) Right now they are just friends, and (3) it does not seem they are in love anymore. But as everyone knows, (4) if two past lovers can remain friends, either they never were in love or they still are. So (5) Jack and Mary must have never been in love.

(Part (4) is borrowed from 'Ecstatic Love Quotes' at http://khushi.wordpress.com/2006/02/25/ecstatic-love-quotes/)

Question 6.

Construct an argument such that the diagram below could serve as its structure diagram.

Indicate which parts of your argument correspond to (1), (2) and (3) on the diagram.

(1)

(2)

(3)

Whenever it is hot I start sweating (1) and I am now sweating (2). Therefore, it must be hot (3).

Question 7.

Construct an argument such that the diagram below could serve as its structure diagram.

Indicate which parts of your argument correspond to (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) on the diagram.

(1)

(2)

(3)

(6)

(5)

(4)

Whenever it is hot I start sweating (1) and I am now sweating (2). Therefore, it must be hot (3). It is only really hot in the summer (4). Therefore,…