General Knowledge

Question 1

What are the four types of stimulus (with description)

Answer 1

1. Argument: premises and conclusions.
2. Premise Set: Non-contradictory premises.
3. Paradox: Contradictory premises.
4. Debate: Two speakers.

Question 2

What are the 5 premise indicators?

Answer 2

because
for
since
as
given that

Question 3

What are the 7 conclusion indicators?

Answer 3

THIS CAT:
therefore
hence
it follows that
so
consequently
accordingly
thus

Question 4

What do we know from a conditional statement?

Answer 4

The original statement and the contrapositive, which is obtained by negating both sides and flipping the direction.

Question 5

What is the relationship between CONCLUSION, NECESSARY ASSUMPTION, and SUFFICIENT ASSUMPTION? (The Assumption Chain)

Answer 5

SUFFICIENT ASSUMPTION –> CONCLUSION –> NECESSARY ASSUMTION

And the contrapositives:
/NA –> /CONCLUSION –> /SA

Question 6

What are the characteristics of SUFFICIENT ASSUMPTIONS?

Answer 6

• Interesting.
• Sufficient to prove the conclusion 100% true.
• Bridges the gap in the argument.
• Uses powerful words such as will, always, everything.

Question 7

What are the characteristics of NECESSARY ASSUMPTIONS?

Answer 7

• The boring necessary foundation of the conclusion.
• Proven by the conclusion. If the conclusion is true, the necessary assumption has to be true.
• Guard against devastating loopholes that could destroy the argument.

Question 8

What are the two assumption tests?

Answer 8

Sufficient test: does [candidate] prove the conclusion to be 100% true?

Necessary test: If the conclusion is true, must [candidate] be true?

Question 9

What is the CHEAT CONSTRUCTION for an assumption?

Answer 9

IF OUR PREMISE, THEN OUR CONCLUSION construction

• It’s a sufficient assumption: If this construction is present, then it proves the conclusion by default, because it bridges the premise and the conclusion.
• It’s a necessary assumption: If the conclusion is true, then this construction also must be true, because if the conclusion is true, then the premise has to prove the conclusion, which is essentially what the construct is saying.

Question 10

What is a LOOPHOLE?

Answer 10

• Is the negated necessary assumption.
• Start your loophole thoughts with ‘what if…’
• The loophole should:
  
  • Always be there
  • Not negate assumption
  • Not negate conclusion

Question 11

What are the 7 indicator words for causal relationships?

Answer 11

cause
produced by
leads to
effect
responsible for
factor
product

Question 12

What are the 3 omitted options in a causal relationship?

Answer 12

1. Independent: what if there’s no relationship at all?
2. Backwards: what if the causal relationship is actually backwards?
3. Other factors: what if some other factors caused one or both?