The Canadian government and Marijuana (Mutti, p.12)
Marijuana is a harmful substance that can corrupt children.
Children are the future generation.
Therefore, marijuana can corrupt an entire generation.
Kittens need to be trained
Higher animals can be taught.
Kittens are higher animals.
Therefore, kittens can be taught.
Is it possible for two glass beads to be identical (Rudinow & Barry, p.7)
For two glass beads to be identical they would have to contain the same silica molecules, atoms, quarks, neutrinos, and in the same place and at the same time.
There are no two glass beads that contain the same silica molecules, atoms, quarks, neutrinos, and in the same place and at the same time.
Therefore, there are no identical glass beads.
Hypothetical syllogism
A person can only vote if he/she is a registered voter. If you are eligible to vote then you are a registered voter.
A person can only be elected if he/she is a member of a political party. If you are qualified to run then you are a member of a political party.
Categorical syllogism
All patriots are registered, voters.
Patriots love their country.
Therefore, all registered voters are patriots.
All taxpayers are registered, voters.
All registered voters can read.
Therefore, all taxpayers can read.
Argument by elimination
It is possible that Obama voted in the latest provincial election.
Only Canadian citizens can vote in a provincial election.
Obama is not a Canadian citizen, therefore he did not vote.
John Kuizomi may be a member of a Canadian political party.
Only Canadian citizens can become a member of a political party.
John Kuizomi is not a Canadian citizen therefore he is not a member of a Canadian political party.
Argument based on mathematics
Only elected officials in the 2011 provincial elections can serve until 2015. Therefore, elected officials in the 2007 provincial elections cannot serve until 2015.
Elected officials in the 2003 provincial elections can serve only up to 2007.
Therefore, elected officials in the 2003 provincials elections cannot serve beyond the 2007 period.
Argument from the definition
The liberal party supports a socially compassionate government.
Bob Rae is a supporter of socially compassionate governments.
Therefore, Bob Rae is liberal.
A member of the Canadian parliament secured its position by winning in the polls.
Lowell Murray is a Senator.
Therefore, Lowell Murray secured his position by winning in the polls.
Inductive
Inductive generalization
Fifty percent of the 100 randomly selected registered voters would choose someone from the liberal party.
It is probable, therefore, that approximately fifty percent of registered voters would choose someone from the liberal party.
Sixty percent of the 100 randomly selected registered voters were happy with the results of the election.
It is probable, therefore, that approximately sixty percent of registered voters were happy with the results of the election.
Predictive argument
Most of the time, Canadians will choose a leader from the liberal party. Therefore, the next leader would come from the liberal party.
Most of the time voters will choose someone with a good reputation.
Therefore, the next leader is someone with a good reputation.
Argument from authority
According to poll experts, the liberal party will win a landslide victory.
Therefore, the liberal party will win a landslide victory.
According to Information Technology experts, it is extremely difficult to tamper with election results. Therefore, the results of the elections can be considered valid.
Causal argument
The significant number of people recorded to have used their cameras last week is correlated to the high number of journalists that covered the provincial elections.
The significant number of people recorded to have used their cameras last week is not the cause of the provincial elections.
There is no third event that caused both the increase in the number of people who have used their cameras and the high number of journalists that covered the provincial elections.
Therefore, the provincial election is the cause of the significant increase in the use of cameras.
The significant number of people recorded to have used their laptops last week is correlated to the high number of journalists that covered the provincial election.
The significant number of people that used their laptops is not the cause of the provincial election.
There is no third party that caused the increased usage of the laptop.
Therefore, the provincial election is the cause of the significant increase in the use of laptops.
Statistical argument
Seventy percent of the people surveyed in Ontario believed in the integrity of their government. Therefore, a majority of the people living in Ontario believed that they have an honest government.
Thirty percent of the people surveyed in Ontario would like to elect an honest man to office. Therefore, only a small percentage of the general population would like to elect an honest official.
Argument from analogy
A childish person cannot make up his mind.
Some registered voters cannot make up their minds.
Therefore, some registered voters are childish.
A candidate is a very busy man come election time.
Lee is not busy during election time.
Therefore, Lee is not a candidate.
Works Cited
Mutti, Robert. Making up Your Mind. Ontario: Broadview Press, 2002.
Rudinow, Joel & Vincent Barry. Invitation to Critical Thinking. CA: Thomson Higher Education, 2007.