The Conditional Syllogism
Exercises


1.
If one chooses vice over virtue, one will suffer in life.
one is suffering in life.
Ergo, one has chosen vice over virtue.
Valid [ ] Invalid [ ]
Reason:

2.
If government is for the common good, it is not for the good of only the few.
Government is for the common good.
Ergo, government is not for the good of only the few.
Valid [ ] Invalid [ ]
Reason:

3.
If life exists on Mars, then Mars has an atmosphere.
Mars has an atmosphere.
Ergo, life exists on Mars.
Valid [ ] Invalid [ ]
Reason:

4.
If life involves quantity, it is physical.
Life does not involve quantity.
Ergo, life is not physical.
Valid [ ] Invalid [ ]
Reason:

5.
If atoms are ultimate particles, they are indivisible.
Atoms are not indivisible.
Ergo, they are not ultimate.
Valid [ ] Invalid [ ]
Reason:

6.
If the premises of this argument are true, then the conclusion of this argument is true (i.e., the argument is valid).
The conclusion of this argument is true.
Ergo, the premises of this argument are true.
Valid [ ] Invalid [ ]
Reason:

7.
If the premises of this argument are true, then the conclusion of this argument is true (i.e., the argument is valid).
The premises of this argument are not true.
Ergo, the conclusion of this argument is not true.
Valid [ ] Invalid [ ]
Reason:

8.
If you can type fast, you will be grateful later on.
You can type fast.
Ergo, you will be grateful later on.
[  ]  Valid  [  ] Invalid
Reason:

9.
If you breath in mold or mildew, you will get a cold.
You have a cold.
Ergo, you breathed in mold or mildew.
[  ]  Valid  [  ] Invalid
Reason:

10.
If you pray, God will draw close to you.
God did not draw close to you.
Ergo, you don’t pray.
[  ]  Valid  [  ] Invalid
Reason:

11.
If you eat right, you will be healthy.
I don’t eat right
Ergo, you are not healthy.
[  ]  Valid  [  ] Invalid
Reason:

12.
If you learn to think, life will be much easier for you.
Life is not much easier for me.
Ergo, you didn’t learn to think.
[  ]  Valid  [  ] Invalid
Reason:

13.
Eat lots of vegetables and fruit, and you reduce your risk of cancer.
I eat lots of veggies and fruit.
Ergo, I have reduced my risk of cancer.
[  ]  Valid  [  ] Invalid
Reason:

14.
If Henry has moral scruples against drinking, then Henry never drinks.
Henry never drinks.
Ergo, Henry has moral scruples against drinking.
Valid [ ] Invalid [ ]
Reason:

15.
If the defendant is willing to testify, then he is innocent.
The defenant is not willing to testify.
Ergo, the defendant is not innocent.
Valid [ ] Invalid [ ]
Reason:


ANSWERS