CLT Logic and Ethics 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a syllogism?
- A logical argument with two premises and a conclusion (Correct answer)
- A type of mathematical equation
- A literary technique
- A grammatical structure
Correct answer: A logical argument with two premises and a conclusion
A syllogism is a form of deductive reasoning: 'All men are mortal. Socrates is a man. Therefore, Socrates is mortal.'
Question 2: What is the ad hominem fallacy?
- Attacking the person making the argument rather than the argument itself (Correct answer)
- A valid form of debate
- Arguing from authority
- Making a generalization
Correct answer: Attacking the person making the argument rather than the argument itself
Ad hominem (against the person) redirects the argument from the ideas to personal attacks on the arguer, which is logically irrelevant.
Question 3: What is virtue ethics?
- An ethical framework focused on developing moral character traits rather than following rules (Correct answer)
- A system of laws
- A religious doctrine
- A mathematical theory
Correct answer: An ethical framework focused on developing moral character traits rather than following rules
Virtue ethics, rooted in Aristotle, emphasizes developing virtuous character traits (courage, honesty, temperance) as the foundation of moral behavior.
Question 4: What is the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning?
- Deductive goes from general to specific; inductive goes from specific to general (Correct answer)
- They are the same
- Deductive uses evidence; inductive uses logic
- Inductive is always more reliable
Correct answer: Deductive goes from general to specific; inductive goes from specific to general
Deductive reasoning applies general principles to reach specific conclusions (guaranteed if premises are true). Inductive reasoning draws general conclusions from specific observations (probable but not certain).
Question 5: What is the straw man fallacy?
- Misrepresenting someone's argument to make it easier to attack (Correct answer)
- Building a strong argument
- Using analogies
- Citing statistics
Correct answer: Misrepresenting someone's argument to make it easier to attack
A straw man creates a distorted or exaggerated version of the opponent's position, then attacks this weaker version instead of the actual argument.
Question 6: What is natural law theory in ethics?
- The view that moral truths are discoverable through human reason and are universal (Correct answer)
- A theory about physical laws of nature
- A legal framework only
- A religious doctrine exclusive to one faith
Correct answer: The view that moral truths are discoverable through human reason and are universal
Natural law theory holds that certain moral principles are inherent in human nature and can be discovered through reason, forming a universal moral framework.
CLT Logic and Ethics 1
What is a syllogism?