Topic 6: Logic Puzzle

PHI332 : The Class : Argument ID : Logic Puzzle

Topic 6: Logic Puzzle

On way to increase your ability to see logical structures and to increase your sensitivity to inference indicators like "therefore" and "because" is to practice solving logic puzzles and especially to practice explaining your solution. That is the reason why I put a logic puzzle in this module in an ethics course. The goal is to make you sensitive to how language is used to express reasons and conclusions. Remember: you will be using language to express your own reasons and conclusions in your research paper. In that paper you will be solving some ethical puzzle. So this puzzle, even if it makes your head ache, is great preparation for all of your graded assignments in this course.

Many of you wonder, what criteria will I use in grading your research paper in this course? One important criterion I use will be how well your paper is argued-and I will be looking at your solution to an ethical puzzle as if it were like a logic puzzle you are solving.

Solve the following puzzle by filling out the grid. Then explain your reasoning step by step, using complete sentences. Notice how you use premise and conclusion indicators to make your reasoning clear. Then draw a diagram of your reasoning. Only after you have a solution, explanation, and diagram should you turn the page to check your work!

To complete this topic successfully, do as many of the following exercises as you find necessary to acquire the relevant skill. You have acquired the relevant skill when your answers to exercises are reliably either the same as the given answers or are alternative answers you can explain and defend:

ASSIGNMENT 1: Exercise2.6.1

Once you have completed this module you should:

Go on to Topic 7: Restatements
or
Go back to Argument ID

E-mail George Rudebusch at George.Rudebusch@nau.edu
or call (520) 523-7091