LOGICAL ARGUMENTS

Common Valid Arguments 4. Law of syllogism (law of transitivity)

p→q
1. Law of detachment q→r
p→q ∴p → r
p
∴q Common Fallacies
1. Fallacy of the converse
2. Law of contraposition p→q
p→q q
¬q ∴p
∴ ¬p
2. Fallacy of the inverse
3. Law of disjunctive syllogism p→q
p∨q ¬p
¬p ∴ ¬q
∴q
3. Fallacy of the inclusive or
p∨q
p
∴ ¬q

Example 17. Determine whether the following arguments are valid or invalid.
1. If an ad campaign is a success, then the marketing manager wont lose her job.
The marketing manager lost her job.
Therefore, the ad campaign was not a success.

2. Either 2 + 2 =4or2+2=5.
2+2=4
Therefore, 2 + 2 = 5 .

3. If 2+2 = 5, then my feet hurt.

My feet don?t hurt.
Therefore, 2 + 2 = 5 .

4. If today is a holiday, then we don’t have classes.

Today is not a holiday.
Therefore, we have classes.

5. If I focus on my studies, then I’ll pass this subject.

I did not pass this subject.
Therefore, I did not focus on my studies.