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QLDPhilosophy and ReasonQuick questions
Unit 3: Reason and formal logic
Quick questions on Categorical statements and syllogisms: QCE Philosophy and Reason
7short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What are the four standard categorical forms?Show answer
A categorical statement relates two classes (a subject term S and a predicate term P). There are four standard forms, traditionally labelled by vowels:
What are distribution of terms?Show answer
A term is distributed when the statement says something about every member of that class. Distribution drives the validity rules, so learn this table:
What is the categorical syllogism?Show answer
A categorical syllogism has exactly two premises and a conclusion, built from exactly three terms:
What is rules for a valid syllogism?Show answer
A standard-form syllogism is valid if and only if it breaks none of these rules:
What is q1?Show answer
State the four standard categorical forms and give the distribution of terms for each. [4 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Test for validity: "All birds are animals; some pets are birds; therefore some pets are animals." [3 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Name the fallacy in "All dogs are animals; all cats are animals; therefore all cats are dogs." [2 marks]
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