Question 1
One fallacy is when some products are portrayed as being perfect or providing immediate respite in particular commercials. Obviously if one has studied logic, this is immediately dismissed and not taken into consideration although one can also attempt to rationalise and assess the quality of the commercial. Advertising executive who produce these types of commercials normally aim for the more gullible sector of the audience, perhaps those who are immediately impressed by such fallacies. It is obviously a bad assumption if one takes the moral aspect of things but it can be argued to be a good one (Quine, W. V).
Another fallacy is when a TV presenter is portrayed to be living an ideal life in ideal surroundings when this is far from the truth. Yet again, logical considerations are an issue here and those who have studied logic should have no difficulty in sussing this out.
References
Quine, W. V. Methods of Logic
Question 2
An interesting scientific hypothesis is the way plants absorb sunlight to grow. Here one can test this hypothesis by choosing two plants and exposing one to direct sunlight and keep the other in the dark and observe the changes after a while. According to normal scientific practise, the plant which is exposed to direct sunlight should grow accordingly while the other should wither away and die. This is confirmed by normal hypothesis but Popper would argue that confirmation of the situation of the two plants would also help to assess progress. In this case, normal scientific hypothesis is arguably the best option as Popper’s theory is perhaps better suited to more logical arguments (Strawson, P. F).
References
Strawson, P. F. Introduction to Logical Theory
Question 3
Obviously there is a considerable moral dilemma here. Social mores dictate that Mary should perhaps seek help from outside sources to feed her children such as taking them to an institute but the survival instinct will obviously turn to stealing if that is possible. Morally, no one should steal but Mary is an acute dilemma here and she obviously cannot let her children go hungry on any account. If not steal, she should perhaps ask the shop owner or some other person to provide her with food but if these refuse then she is morally justified to steal as she cannot go on seeing her children go hungry. The word ‘steal’ is also arguable here as the concept of private property cannot really be applied (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy).
References
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy; http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/necessary-sufficient/
Question 4
I will be taking medicine at University
The weather in Malta is sunny on Friday
P & Q
P
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Q
Symbolizing arguments is quite useful due to the fact that words can be reduced to simple letters or symbols. However, if one does not understand logic implicity, this can tend to be confusing and difficult to decipher so there are considerable disadvantages in that sense too. However complex arguments can be dissected and analyzed better when broken down into logical symbols so those who understand the concept will be able to provide different and subtle alternatives to what is being proposed (Strawson, P. F).
References
Strawson, P. F. Introduction to Logical Theory
Question 5
Logic is an important part of everyday life and we can use it accordingly to deal with certain every day situations. Sometimes those who study logic are better able to deal with situations as they arise and thus certain bad decisions are avoided. Obviously those who have not studied logic are exposed to certain decision making levels which are not always the right ones and they may also fail to assess certain situations properly. Reasoning properly is crucial when faced with moral dilemmas and when one has studied logic, the ability to break down such situations is obviously a very good one and helps enormously in making certain choices in life (Skyrms, B), (Carnap, R).
References
Skyrms, B. Choice and Chance
Carnap, R. An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science
References
Quine, W. V. Methods of Logic
