Question 1

Which of the following best captures the basic problem with an argument that commits the fallacy of equivocation?

Accepted Answer

A)  It criticizes a weak or distorted version of another argument, rather than the strongest form of that argument. 
B)  It uses a word or phrase in two different ways but doesn't work when the difference is made explicit. 
C)  It assumes the truth of its conclusion as an explicit or hidden premise. 
D)  It wrongly assumes that something that is true of a group as a whole is also true of each member of that group. 
A)  It criticizes a weak or distorted version of another argument, rather than the strongest form of that argument. 
B)  It uses a word or phrase in two different ways but doesn't work when the difference is made explicit. 
C)  It assumes the truth of its conclusion as an explicit or hidden premise. 
D)  It wrongly assumes that something that is true of a group as a whole is also true of each member of that group. B

Question 2

A rebutting objection aims to show that the conclusion of another argument is false.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 3

What is the ad hominem fallacy? Give an example, other than one discussed in the book.

Accepted Answer

The ad hominem fallacy is a logical fallacy that occurs when someone attacks the character, motive, or other attribute of the person making an argument rather than addressing the substance of the argument itself. The term "ad hominem" is Latin for "to the person." This fallacy is used to undermine the opponent's position by attacking the individual, thus diverting the discussion away from the actual issues at hand.

An example of the ad hominem fallacy that is not commonly discussed in textbooks might be as follows:

During a debate on environmental policy, Speaker A argues that the government should invest more in renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions. Speaker B responds by saying, "Speaker A drives a large SUV and frequently flies in private jets, so his argument for reducing carbon emissions is not credible."

In this example, Speaker B does not address the merits of Speaker A's argument for renewable energy investment. Instead, Speaker B attacks Speaker A's personal choices regarding transportation, implying that these choices invalidate Speaker A's argument. This is an ad hominem attack because it focuses on Speaker A's character and personal behavior rather than the argument for renewable energy investment. The fact that Speaker A may not perfectly practice what he advocates does not inherently negate the validity of his argument for renewable energy policy.

Question 4

Which of the following best explains the idea of confirmation bias?

Accepted Answer

A)  Confirmation bias is a universal human tendency to seek out and accept only information that supports our preexisting ideas, avoiding or ignoring information that conflicts with those ideas. 
B)  Confirmation bias is a tendency, frequently found in political conservatives, to ignore evidence that undermines their social and political views. 
C)  Confirmation bias is a tendency, frequently found in political liberals, to ignore evidence that undermines their social and political views. 
D)  Confirmation bias is the predisposition to accept new information if it agrees with our existing beliefs but reject it if it conflicts with our beliefs. 
A)  Confirmation bias is a universal human tendency to seek out and accept only information that supports our preexisting ideas, avoiding or ignoring information that conflicts with those ideas. 
B)  Confirmation bias is a tendency, frequently found in political conservatives, to ignore evidence that undermines their social and political views. 
C)  Confirmation bias is a tendency, frequently found in political liberals, to ignore evidence that undermines their social and political views. 
D)  Confirmation bias is the predisposition to accept new information if it agrees with our existing beliefs but reject it if it conflicts with our beliefs.

Question 5

What is an objection to an argument?

Accepted Answer

A)  An objection is anything that shows a flaw in the argument. 
B)  An objection is an argument that shows that another argument commits a fallacy. 
C)  An objection is anything that undermines competing answers to a specific question. 
D)  An objection is an argument meant to show that another argument is flawed. 
A)  An objection is anything that shows a flaw in the argument. 
B)  An objection is an argument that shows that another argument commits a fallacy. 
C)  An objection is anything that undermines competing answers to a specific question. 
D)  An objection is an argument meant to show that another argument is flawed.

Question 6

What is the point of the six-step process for answering moral questions that was outlined in Chapter 8?

Accepted Answer

A)  To prepare yourself to defend your moral views against objections. 
B)  To practice applying the skills developed in other chapters. 
C)  To find the most persuasive arguments for your own moral views. 
D)  To reach the best-supported answer to a moral question. 
A)  To prepare yourself to defend your moral views against objections. 
B)  To practice applying the skills developed in other chapters. 
C)  To find the most persuasive arguments for your own moral views. 
D)  To reach the best-supported answer to a moral question.

Question 7

An objection to a moral argument must contain at least one premise.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT recommended in Chapter 8 as a way to resist confirmation bias?

Accepted Answer

A)  Intentionally seek out information that might conflict with your beliefs. 
B)  Stick only to information from nonpartisan sources. 
C)  Take care not to dismiss information that conflicts with your beliefs. 
D)  Treat information that supports your beliefs with extra skepticism. 
A)  Intentionally seek out information that might conflict with your beliefs. 
B)  Stick only to information from nonpartisan sources. 
C)  Take care not to dismiss information that conflicts with your beliefs. 
D)  Treat information that supports your beliefs with extra skepticism.

Question 9

An objection commits the strawman fallacy when:

Accepted Answer

A)  It attacks the person making an argument when he or she is not there to defend him- or herself. 
B)  It distorts or misrepresents the target argument to make it easier to refute. 
C)  It asserts that the target argument is flawed without explaining why. 
D)  It presents a weaker version of the objection to make it easier to respond to. 
A)  It attacks the person making an argument when he or she is not there to defend him- or herself. 
B)  It distorts or misrepresents the target argument to make it easier to refute. 
C)  It asserts that the target argument is flawed without explaining why. 
D)  It presents a weaker version of the objection to make it easier to respond to.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT one of the steps in the six-step process for answering moral questions that was outlined in Chapter 8?

Accepted Answer

A)  Gather information about your chosen issue. 
B)  Identify a specific question that you want to answer. 
C)  Find opinion polls about the moral issue you're exploring. 
D)  Identify and evaluate important objections to each answer. 
A)  Gather information about your chosen issue. 
B)  Identify a specific question that you want to answer. 
C)  Find opinion polls about the moral issue you're exploring. 
D)  Identify and evaluate important objections to each answer.

Question 11

What is a rebutting objection?

Accepted Answer

A)  An objection that tries to show that the premises of another argument are irrelevant. 
B)  An objection that tries to rebut another argument by disproving its premises. 
C)  An objection that tries to show that another argument's conclusion is false. 
D)  An objection that tries to rebut another argument by pointing out a fallacy. 
A)  An objection that tries to show that the premises of another argument are irrelevant. 
B)  An objection that tries to rebut another argument by disproving its premises. 
C)  An objection that tries to show that another argument's conclusion is false. 
D)  An objection that tries to rebut another argument by pointing out a fallacy.

Question 12

Which of the following best captures the six-step process for answering moral questions that was outlined in Chapter 8?

Accepted Answer

A)  Gather information about your chosen topic to identify a specific question to ask. List at least three answers to the question and at least one argument for each answer. Choose the answer you want to defend and identify at least one objection to it, along with a response. 
B)  Starting with a general topic, collect information about that topic, narrow your topic to a specific question, and identify important answers to that question and arguments for and against each answer. Then identify objections and responses before drawing a final conclusion. 
C)  Pick a question about a moral topic and identify salient answers to that question. Identify arguments for and against each answer and objections for and against each answer. On the basis of those arguments and objections, draw a final conclusion. 
D)  Identify a moral issue that you want to discuss and a claim you want to make about that moral issue. Gather information and arguments to support your claim, being sure to consider objections to your arguments and potential replies you could make. Pick the best arguments and replies to support your final conclusion. 
A)  Gather information about your chosen topic to identify a specific question to ask. List at least three answers to the question and at least one argument for each answer. Choose the answer you want to defend and identify at least one objection to it, along with a response. 
B)  Starting with a general topic, collect information about that topic, narrow your topic to a specific question, and identify important answers to that question and arguments for and against each answer. Then identify objections and responses before drawing a final conclusion. 
C)  Pick a question about a moral topic and identify salient answers to that question. Identify arguments for and against each answer and objections for and against each answer. On the basis of those arguments and objections, draw a final conclusion. 
D)  Identify a moral issue that you want to discuss and a claim you want to make about that moral issue. Gather information and arguments to support your claim, being sure to consider objections to your arguments and potential replies you could make. Pick the best arguments and replies to support your final conclusion.

Question 13

According to Chapter 8, it is never acceptable to use partisan sources to gather information about or find arguments related to a moral issue.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

An objection commits the ad hominem fallacy when:

Accepted Answer

A)  It assumes the falsity of the target argument's conclusion as one of its premises. 
B)  It appeals to the cultural views of one's homeland to criticize an argument. 
C)  It uses a word or phrase from the target argument differently than the target argument does. 
D)  It criticizes the person making an argument instead of the argument itself. 
A)  It assumes the falsity of the target argument's conclusion as one of its premises. 
B)  It appeals to the cultural views of one's homeland to criticize an argument. 
C)  It uses a word or phrase from the target argument differently than the target argument does. 
D)  It criticizes the person making an argument instead of the argument itself.

Question 15

At what point in the six-step process for answering moral questions should you decide which answer you are going to accept? Why?

Accepted Answer

Deciding which answer you are going to a

Question 16

According to Chapter 8, what is a "salient answer" to a question?

Accepted Answer

A)  An answer that is worth thinking about as you consider your question. 
B)  An answer that is relevant to the question you're asking. 
C)  An answer that is widely accepted by members of your society. 
D)  An answer that you think is plausible. 
A)  An answer that is worth thinking about as you consider your question. 
B)  An answer that is relevant to the question you're asking. 
C)  An answer that is widely accepted by members of your society. 
D)  An answer that you think is plausible.

Question 17

In your own words, explain the six-step process for answering moral questions that was outlined in Chapter 8.

Accepted Answer

The six-step process for answering moral

Question 18

The fallacy of equivocation involves criticizing the person who made an argument instead of the argument itself.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

What is confirmation bias? Why is it a problem? What are three things you can do to resist confirmation bias?

Accepted Answer

Confirmation bias is the tendency to sea

Question 20

What is an undercutting objection?

Accepted Answer

A)  An objection that tries to rebut another argument by disproving its premises. 
B)  An objection that tries to show that another argument's conclusion is false. 
C)  An objection that tries to rebut another argument by pointing out a fallacy. 
D)  An objection that tries to show that another argument is not cogent. 
A)  An objection that tries to rebut another argument by disproving its premises. 
B)  An objection that tries to show that another argument's conclusion is false. 
C)  An objection that tries to rebut another argument by pointing out a fallacy. 
D)  An objection that tries to show that another argument is not cogent.

Which of the following best captures the basic problem with an argument that commits the fallacy of equivocation?

A rebutting objection aims to show that the conclusion of another argument is false.

What is the ad hominem fallacy? Give an example, other than one discussed in the book.

Which of the following best explains the idea of confirmation bias?

What is an objection to an argument?

What is the point of the six-step process for answering moral questions that was outlined in Chapter 8?

An objection to a moral argument must contain at least one premise.

Which of the following is NOT recommended in Chapter 8 as a way to resist confirmation bias?

An objection commits the strawman fallacy when:

Which of the following is NOT one of the steps in the six-step process for answering moral questions that was outlined in Chapter 8?

What is a rebutting objection?

Which of the following best captures the six-step process for answering moral questions that was outlined in Chapter 8?

According to Chapter 8, it is never acceptable to use partisan sources to gather information about or find arguments related to a moral issue.

An objection commits the ad hominem fallacy when:

At what point in the six-step process for answering moral questions should you decide which answer you are going to accept? Why?

According to Chapter 8, what is a "salient answer" to a question?

In your own words, explain the six-step process for answering moral questions that was outlined in Chapter 8.

The fallacy of equivocation involves criticizing the person who made an argument instead of the argument itself.

What is confirmation bias? Why is it a problem? What are three things you can do to resist confirmation bias?

What is an undercutting objection?

An Introduction to Arguments

Moral Arguments

Reasoning With Obligations

Reasoning About Consequences

Reasoning With Virtues and Vices

Reasoning With Principles and Counterexamples

Reasoning With Analogies

Skepticism, Subjectivism, and Relativism

Religion and Moral Reasoning

Normative Theories, Part 1

Normative Theories, Part 2

Aristotle's Ethics: Exploring Virtue and Justice

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Exam 8: Answering Moral Questions

Which of the following best captures the basic problem with an argument that commits the fallacy of equivocation?

A rebutting objection aims to show that the conclusion of another argument is false.

What is the ad hominem fallacy? Give an example, other than one discussed in the book.

Which of the following best explains the idea of confirmation bias?

What is an objection to an argument?

What is the point of the six-step process for answering moral questions that was outlined in Chapter 8?

An objection to a moral argument must contain at least one premise.

Which of the following is NOT recommended in Chapter 8 as a way to resist confirmation bias?

An objection commits the strawman fallacy when:

Which of the following is NOT one of the steps in the six-step process for answering moral questions that was outlined in Chapter 8?

What is a rebutting objection?

Which of the following best captures the six-step process for answering moral questions that was outlined in Chapter 8?

According to Chapter 8, it is never acceptable to use partisan sources to gather information about or find arguments related to a moral issue.

An objection commits the ad hominem fallacy when:

At what point in the six-step process for answering moral questions should you decide which answer you are going to accept? Why?

According to Chapter 8, what is a "salient answer" to a question?

In your own words, explain the six-step process for answering moral questions that was outlined in Chapter 8.

The fallacy of equivocation involves criticizing the person who made an argument instead of the argument itself.

What is confirmation bias? Why is it a problem? What are three things you can do to resist confirmation bias?

What is an undercutting objection?

An Introduction to Arguments

Moral Arguments

Reasoning With Obligations

Reasoning About Consequences

Reasoning With Virtues and Vices

Reasoning With Principles and Counterexamples

Reasoning With Analogies

Skepticism, Subjectivism, and Relativism

Religion and Moral Reasoning

Normative Theories, Part 1

Normative Theories, Part 2

Aristotle's Ethics: Exploring Virtue and Justice

Filters