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QLDPhilosophy and ReasonQuick questions
Unit 3: Reason and formal logic
Quick questions on Mill's methods of causal reasoning: QCE Philosophy and Reason
4short 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 is method of difference?Show answer
If a case where the effect occurs and a case where it does not are alike in every circumstance except one, that one difference is probably the cause (or part of it). Two identical plants are grown together; one is given a nutrient, the other not; only the fed plant flourishes; the nutrient is the probable cause. This is the logic of the controlled experiment and is generally the strongest of the methods.
What is q1?Show answer
Explain the method of difference and why it underlies controlled experiments. [4 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Distinguish the method of agreement from concomitant variation. [3 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Give one reason a strong correlation may not show causation. [2 marks]
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