Action Item 3

RULES
Modus Ponens

1) If p, then q.
2) p.
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3) Thus, q.

If there is fire, then there is smoke.
There is a fire, therefore, there is smoke

1) If there is fire, then there is smoke. 2) There is fire.
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3) Therefore, there is smoke.

F = There is fire S = There is smoke

1) →F→S 2) S
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3) Therefore, F

Modus Tollens

1) If p, then q
2) Not q
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3) Thus, not p

If I am sad, then I cry. I do not cry, therefore, I am not sad.

1) If I am sad, then I cry 2) I don’t cry
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3) Thus, I am not sad.

B = I am sad
C = I cry

1) →B→C
2) ~C
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3) Thus, ~B
Hypothetical Syllogism

1) If p, then q 2) If q, then r
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3) Thus, if p, then r

If I do not get gas, then I cannot go to work.
If I cannot go to work, then I will not get paid.
Therefore, if I do not get gas, then I will not get paid.

1) If I do not get gas, then I cannot go to work. 2) If I do not work, then I will not get paid.
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3) Therefore, if I do not get gas, then I will not get paid.

A = I get gas
B = I can go to work
C = I get paid

1) →~A→~B 2) →~B→~C ------------------------------- 3) →~A→~C

Disjunctive Syllogism

1) p or q 2) Not p
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3) Thus, q

Either Bill is in Germany or Bill is in Australia.
Bill is not in Germany, thus Bill is in Australia.

1) Either Bill is in Germany or Bill is in Australia 2) Bill is not in Germany
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3) Thus, Bill is in Australia

G = Bill is in Germany
A = Bill is in Australia

1) G v A 2) ~G
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3) Thus, A

Dilemma

1) p or q 2) If p, then r 3) If q, then s
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4) Thus, r or s

It will rain or it will not rain.
If it will rain, then people will be unhappy.
If it will not rain, then people will be happy.
Thus, people will be unhappy or people will be happy.

1) It will rain or it will be sunny 2) If it will rain, then people will be wet. 3) If it will be sunny, then people will be dry.
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4) Thus, people will be wet or people will be dry.

Dilemma continued:

A = It will rain
B = It will be sunny
C = People will be wet
D = People will be dry

1) A v B 2) →A→C 3) →B→D
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4) Thus, C v D

Discussion Board Assignment, Part 4.

What is the advantage or translating verbal arguments to symbolic argument form?
I believe the advantage of translating verbal arguments into symbolic argument form is to help us with our acceptance of an argument. Using symbols helps people remember. We can use these symbols to help us decide if an argument is valid and sound or if it is true or false. By really looking at arguments and assigning symbols, we will be able to do this with our own arguments. This, in turn helps us create better and more creative arguments that are going to be accepted. The symbols help us with our thinking processes and train the mind to use these symbols as key tools to analyze an argument. If we create or accept an argument, this learning tool will also help us defend our acceptance of an argument.
Feel free to share your pains, joy and tips while you translate statements and arguments.
I feel that this is a very interesting class. At first I thought, oh my how am I going to be able to do this, especially when my way of thinking has been conditioned over the years. But, this is the most interesting class I have taken. I feel the assignment really helps with really looking at an argument and having to think about it, instead of just reading something and interpreting my own understanding. The symbols help create a new learning environment on how I interpret what I read, and what the real meaning, if any, is behind the reading. It helps me think and process the information that is presented, even when the sentence structure is so simple.