PHIL 347 WEEK 3 CHECKPOINT QUIZ
k According to the text, how do the views of stronger, more developed critical thinkers toward authority
differ from those in earlier stages of cognitive development? - According to the text, the stronger, more
developed critical thinkers are skeptical and will not believe an authority figure unless they've done their
research. They know that the word "authority" is ambiguous and has two meanings, which can confuse.
More advanced critical thinkers view authority as someone who offers expertise.
Briefly, in your own words, state how the text defines "expert." - someone who has thoroughly learned a
subject and is also experienced in the subject or field.
When presented with a claim unsupported by reasons (for example, "the health risks of vaping have
been underestimated"), what three options does a critical thinker have to evaluate such a claim? -
Evaluating the substance
Evaluating the source
Obtaining an independent verification
Is the following statement true or untrue? Explain your answer. "If a claim cannot be confirmed by an
independent investigation, then it must be false." - Just because a claim can't be confirmed
independently doesn't automatically make it false; it could still be true but just unverified.
Is the following statement true or untrue? Explain your answer. "If we do not believe that a claim is true,
then we must believe that the claim is false. - This statement is untrue. The reason for this is simple, if
we think the claim is not true we can still research the claim and find out it is true.
what four conditions must an argument meet if we are to accept its worthiness and reasonableness of its
conclusion? - arguable claim or premise, use of evidence and facts, a warrant, and qualifications.
In an argument with two or more independent reasons, if one of those reasons turns out to be false,
how does a critical thinker apply the test of logical strength to the argument? Should the critical thinker
reject such an argument? Explain your answer. - A critical thinker should not reject an argument with two
or more independent reasons, even if one of those reasons is false.
Erwin is charged with statutory rape, which is defined as a having sex with a minor, a person under the
age of 18. Erwin argues: "You can't arrest me just because she's 17 and I'm 21. Yes, we had sex, but it
was consensual, plus she will be 18 in two weeks, and we are planning to get married." Which of the four
tests of worthiness does Erwin's argument fail? Explain your answer. - Erwin's argument fails the test of
relevance. Even though the sex may have been consensual and the girl will be 18 in 2 weeks, it does not
free him of the charges. The law states that statutory rape is have sex with someone under the age of 18
which is what he did.
Go to Individual Exercises at the end of Chapter 7 and evaluate Example 4, which begins "If God intended
marriage..." Assume the premises are true. Applying only tests 2, 3, and 4 (logical strength, relevance
and non-circularity), what condition of worthiness and reasonableness does this argument not meet?
k According to the text, how do the views of stronger, more developed critical thinkers toward authority
differ from those in earlier stages of cognitive development? - According to the text, the stronger, more
developed critical thinkers are skeptical and will not believe an authority figure unless they've done their
research. They know that the word "authority" is ambiguous and has two meanings, which can confuse.
More advanced critical thinkers view authority as someone who offers expertise.
Briefly, in your own words, state how the text defines "expert." - someone who has thoroughly learned a
subject and is also experienced in the subject or field.
When presented with a claim unsupported by reasons (for example, "the health risks of vaping have
been underestimated"), what three options does a critical thinker have to evaluate such a claim? -
Evaluating the substance
Evaluating the source
Obtaining an independent verification
Is the following statement true or untrue? Explain your answer. "If a claim cannot be confirmed by an
independent investigation, then it must be false." - Just because a claim can't be confirmed
independently doesn't automatically make it false; it could still be true but just unverified.
Is the following statement true or untrue? Explain your answer. "If we do not believe that a claim is true,
then we must believe that the claim is false. - This statement is untrue. The reason for this is simple, if
we think the claim is not true we can still research the claim and find out it is true.
what four conditions must an argument meet if we are to accept its worthiness and reasonableness of its
conclusion? - arguable claim or premise, use of evidence and facts, a warrant, and qualifications.
In an argument with two or more independent reasons, if one of those reasons turns out to be false,
how does a critical thinker apply the test of logical strength to the argument? Should the critical thinker
reject such an argument? Explain your answer. - A critical thinker should not reject an argument with two
or more independent reasons, even if one of those reasons is false.
Erwin is charged with statutory rape, which is defined as a having sex with a minor, a person under the
age of 18. Erwin argues: "You can't arrest me just because she's 17 and I'm 21. Yes, we had sex, but it
was consensual, plus she will be 18 in two weeks, and we are planning to get married." Which of the four
tests of worthiness does Erwin's argument fail? Explain your answer. - Erwin's argument fails the test of
relevance. Even though the sex may have been consensual and the girl will be 18 in 2 weeks, it does not
free him of the charges. The law states that statutory rape is have sex with someone under the age of 18
which is what he did.
Go to Individual Exercises at the end of Chapter 7 and evaluate Example 4, which begins "If God intended
marriage..." Assume the premises are true. Applying only tests 2, 3, and 4 (logical strength, relevance
and non-circularity), what condition of worthiness and reasonableness does this argument not meet?
