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Construct an argument that is valid according to the pattern of modus

tollens and which has the following universal statement as its main premise: "All planets
orbit the sun.”

1 Answer

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Answer:

Step-by-step explanation:

Modus Tollens is a valid form of deductive reasoning that works by first assuming a conditional statement, and then using a negation of the consequent to prove that the antecedent must also be false.

Here's an example of an argument that is valid according to the pattern of modus tollens and uses the universal statement "All planets orbit the sun" as its main premise:

Premise 1: All planets orbit the sun.

Premise 2: Pluto does not orbit the sun.

Conclusion: Therefore, Pluto is not a planet.

In this argument, the main premise is the universal statement "All planets orbit the sun." The second premise is the negation of the consequent - that Pluto does not orbit the sun. By using modus tollens, we can logically conclude that the antecedent (that Pluto is a planet) must be false, and therefore, the conclusion is that Pluto is not a planet.

This argument is valid because it follows the structure of modus tollens, and the premises are both true. By starting with a universal statement, we can make a logical deduction based on a particular instance that contradicts the universal statement. In this case, the fact that Pluto does not orbit the sun contradicts the universal statement that all planets orbit the sun, and therefore, we can conclude that Pluto is not a planet.

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