Analysis #2.  Due 9/28 in class

Directions:  Identify each of the following as an argument or an explanation, and rationally reconstruct them exactly as we have been doing in class, this time including principles.  This assignment is worth 10 points.  This analysis will be graded under the assumption that you have studied the correct answers to Analysis 1.  Type answers in the text boxes provided.  Untyped answers will be downgraded 10%. (Note: you will not be able to type in the PDF version of this document.  You need to use MS Word.)

1.  Ricardo doesn’t eat tuna sandwiches because he doesn’t like bread.

Ricardo doesn’t eat tuna sandwiches.

Ricardo doesn’t like bread.

Explanation

P: If x doesn’t like y, x doesn’t like z containing y.

2. You have to help him now because you promised you would.  

Sarah has an obligation to help Bob.

Sarah promised to help Bob.

Argument

P:  If person x promises to do y for person z, then person x is obligated to do y for z. 

3.  Ziggy was arrested for talking on his cell phone while driving.

Ziggy was arrested.

Ziggy was talking on his cell phone while driving.

Explanation

P:  If person x is doing dangerous y, then x is arrested.

4.  The reason I think I didn’t evolve from apes is that I can reason well and apes can’t reason at all.  

Humans didn’t evolve from apes.

Humans can reason and apes can’t. 

Argument

P:  If being x can perform y and being z cannot, then x did not evolve from z.

5.  I think the cops tasered the student because he had halitosis.

The police tasered the student.

The student had halitosis.

Explanation

P:  If person x has offensive quality y, x will be assaulted by the police.

6.  Most people will just believe what they’re told.  It saves a lot of energy.

Most people believe what they are told. 

It saves people energy to believe what they are told. 

Explanation

P:  If x saves energy for person y, then y does x.

7.  I think it’s ok to cheat when everyone else is cheating, too.  But I don’t do it because it still makes me feel guilty.

Randy doesn’t cheat.

Cheating makes Randy feel guilty.

Explanation

P:  If performing action x makes person y feel guilty, then x doesn’t do y.

8.  I don’t believe in instantaneous velocity for the same reason I don’t believe in square circles.  The idea just doesn’t make any sense.

There is no such thing as instantaneous velocity. 

The idea of instantaneous velocity is nonsensical.

Argument

P:  If the idea of x is nonsensical, then x doesn’t exist.

9.  If I could go back in time I would probably want to kill my great grandpa Hitler. But I wouldn’t because that means I’d never be born. 
Bob would not go back in time and kill his great grandpa.

Killing Bob’s great grandpa would prevent Bob’s existence.

Explanation

P:  If person x performing action y is incompatible with the existence of y, then x will not do y.

10.  Basil has asked Barbara to go out with him about 100 times and she’s always said no.  I would think that means she’s due to say yes pretty soon.

Barbara will soon go out with Basil.

Barbara has refused Basil 100 times.

Argument

P:  If person x has refused proposals y from person y many times, x will soon accept z.