Introduction to Logic and Problem Solving (PHIA2105)
BA, Philosophy - PHI
Semester: First Semester
Level: 200
Year: 2017
REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON THE UNIVERSITY OF BAMENDA
Peace-Work-Fatherland
P. O. BOX 39 Bambili
Faculty: ARTS Department:PHILOSOPHY Lecturer(s): Mbih Tosam
Course Code: _PHIL205____Course Title: Introduction to logic
Date: _April 2017_______Halls: __ ________TIME: 2 Hours
Instructions: Answer all questions.
1. a (i) Explain an E103 syllogism using these terms “wars” as major term, “quarrels” as mnor
term and “strikes” as middle term. (2 mks)
(ii) Determine the validity of the above arguments by Venn diagream technique. (3 mks)
b. Translate the following statements into its logical form.
(i) The savior of mankind is Christ.
(ii) Few logic questions are not easy exercises.
(iii) None of these students failed their exams.
(iv) Only licensed players deserve the allowance.
(v) Not all pastors are just. (1x5 mks)
c. (i) State and explain the fallacy committed by this argument.
All humans are mortal beings.
All humans are created beings
Therefore all created beings are humans. (3 mks)
(ii) why do we define terms in philosophy? (2mks)
(iii) State and explain with examples a modal proposition. (3 ks)
(iv) What is a categorical syllogism? (2 mks)
d. (i) construct a valid EAE standard categorical syllogism of the second figure. (3mks)
(ii) With the help of examples distinguish between modus ponens and modus tollens (4mks)
(iii) Explain the following fallacies:
Ad hominem, ad populum, composition, equivocation (2x4 mks)
2. Read the passage and answer the questions below:
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One Sunday morning,as we returned from church, we came to a halt at a police control post,
most of it traffic users were angry because the police man on service created more traffic
problems, which disturbed many citizens rather than ensure the smooth circulation of vehicles.
The police man asked one of the drivers “where is your driver’s license? Some of us
trembled probably becaue we had left our identity cards at home. One of the police officers
approached one car and stated, “if you do not have an identity card, then you should step down”.
Then turning to one of the occupants he asked, “can you please present your identification
paper?” it was only then that we noticed that the passenger in question was nothing but a
dishonest arm robber.
a. what kind of terms are the following
(i) church, (ii) police officer (iii) dishonest (3mks)
b. Put the following statements into optimum logical form.
(i) Most of the traffic users are angry” (2mks)
(ii) Transform the proposition above into a distinctive proposition
c. From the passage above
(i) identify a modal proposition (2mks)
(ii) identify and justify a fallacy of complex question. (4mks)
d. (i) Identify a hypothetical proposition in the passage (2mks)
(ii) construct a valid modus ponens from d(i) above
e. (i) Using the term “police man” as the major term, “citizens” as the middle term and “traffic
users” as the minor term, construct a valid IAI-3 syllogistic argument.
(ii) Express the argument above by the use of Venn diagram. (3mks)
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