Logic Writing Assignment #5

Diagram each of the following complex arguments. All the statements are part of the argument and the there are no unstated premises. (1) On this handout, number each of the statements in the same order as they are found in the passage. (Don’t turn in the handout.) (2) On the paper you email me, write the arguments in standard form, numbering the premises and conclusions and placing them on separate lines, indicating the conclusions by starting with the word ‘Therefore’. (Tip: You can cut and paste the statements from the copy of these guidelines posted on the course website.) At the end of each premise or conclusion, write the number associated with it on the handout in parentheses. When there is more than one premise for a conclusion, indicate whether each is dependent or independent in the parentheses at the end of the premise. (3) On the hard copy, add a written diagram at the end of each argument, using the numbers on the handout. 12 point type, staple.

Example: (1) The divergent paths taken by New York and Texas in the 1990s illustrate the futility of over-reliance on prisons as a cure for crime. (2) Texas added more people to prisons in the 1990s (98,081) than New York’s entire prison population (73,233). (3) If prisons are a cure for crime, Texas should have mightily outperformed New York from a crime control standpoint. (4) But from 1990 to 1998 the decline in New York’s crime rate exceeded the decline in Texas’ crime rate by 26%.

1. Texas added more people to prisons in the 1990s (98,081) than New York’s entire prison population (73,233). (2)

2. Therefore, if prisons are a cure for crime, Texas should have mightily outperformed New York from a crime control standpoint. (3; dependent)

3. But from 1990 to 1998 the decline in New York’s crime rate exceeded the decline in Texas’ crime rate by 26%. (4; dependent)

4. Therefore, the divergent paths taken by New York and Texas in the 1990s illustrate the futility of over-reliance on prisons as a cure for crime. (1)

1. It seems likely that we will have to cancel our vacation. If there is bad weather, we will have to cancel our vacation. The weather forecast in the newspaper predicts bad weather. Also, the weather forecast on Channel 6 predicts bad weather. So it seems likely that there will be bad weather.

2. Mike is probably a Republican, because most Mississippians are Republicans and Mike is from Mississippi. Also, Mike opposes gun control. It is likely that Mike will vote for a Republican candidate if he votes in the upcoming election.

3. In most presidential elections in the U.S., more than half of the states are ignored; voters who don’t live in so-called swing states are in effect bystanders in these quadrennial events. More than half of the states aren’t swing states. An amendment to the U.S. Constitution should replace the archaic electoral vote system with a direct vote. Only in this manner will citizens in all 50 states be able to take part fully in selecting our nation’s leaders.

4. Time is of the essence. If we leave now we will make it to the party on time. If we make it to the party on time, we will be able to leave early. If we are late we will have to stay late to show the host that we were glad to go to the party. If we at least get there on time, it won’t look bad for us to leave early. If we leave early, then we will be able to get to your mother’s on time for her dinner. So you should hurry up and get dressed or your mother will think you don’t love her any more.