Discover your intellectual strengths
Apply deductive reasoning and derive a valid conclusion from the given premises. Remember that an argument may be “valid” even if one or more of its premises are not true.
Test the validity of the following arguments.
Example 1
All Magicians are Potters,
and all Sculptors are Magicians;
thus all Sculptors are Potters.
Solution: Valid argument.
Example 2
Some Minimalists are Progressives,
and some Progressives are Singers;
thus some Minimalists are Singers.
Solution: Not a valid conclusion, since there is no direct connection between the class of Minimalists and the class of Singers.
1. Mavericks.
All Mavericks are Perfectionists,
and all Superheroes are Mavericks;
thus all Superheroes are Perfectionists.
Valid, the conclusion follows from the statements.
2. Middlemen.
Some Middlemen are Plumbers,
and some Middlemen are Sailors;
thus some Sailors are Plumbers.
Invalid, the conclusion does not follow from the statements.
3. Mechanics.
All Mechanics are Professionals,
and all Sopranos* are Mechanics;
thus some Sopranos are Professionals.
* Some Sopranos exist.
Valid, the conclusion follows from the statements.
4. Mentalists.
All Performers* are Mentalists,
and all Mentalists are Superheroes;
thus some Superheroes are Performers.
* Some Performers exist.
Valid, the conclusion follows from the statements.
5. Maximalists.
All Maximalists are Protagonists,
and all Maximalists* are Stoics;
thus some Stoics are Protagonists.
* Some Maximalists exist.
Valid, the conclusion follows from the statements.
6. Motivators.
All Paragons* are Motivators,
and all Motivators are Swimmers;
thus all Swimmers are Paragons.
* Some Paragons exist.
Valid, the conclusion follows from the statements.