Thursday, September 30, 2010

Assumption -- Identify Hidden

Identify the likely hidden assumptions in these arguments:
  1. We should reduce the penalty for drunken driving, as a milder penalty would mean more convictions.
  2. Moby Dick is a whale. So Moby Dick is a mammal.
  3. Giving students a fail grade will damage their self-confidence. Therefore, we should not fail students.
  4. It should not be illegal for adults to smoke pot. After all, it does not harm anyone.
  5. There is nothing wrong talking on a mobile phone during lectures. Other students do it all the time.
  6. Killing an innocent person is wrong. Therefore, abortion is wrong.
  7. Traces of ammonia have been found in Mars' atmosphere. So there must be life on Mars.
  8. There cannot be more than one God. Otherwise, there would be two Gods equally powerful, or one is more powerful than the other. 

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