Question

Which of these best describes the argument below?

Argument: Dante makes 3 statements:
• If Tamela works hard and goes to school, then she will be successful.
• Tamela does not go to school.
• Therefore, Tamela will not be successful.
A. Valid because the conclusion may be false even when the required conditions are met.
B. Valid because the conclusion is true whenever both conditions are met.
C. Invalid because the conclusion can be false even when the required conditions are met.
D. Invalid because the conclusion is always true whenever both conditions are met.

Answer 1

The argument is invalid because the conclusion can be false even when the required conditions are met.

Step-by-step explanation:

The argument presented is invalid because the conclusion can be false even when the required conditions are met (Option C).

Here's why:

1. The first statement establishes a conditional relationship: if someone works hard and goes to school, they will be successful.
2. However, the second statement presents the fact that Tamela does not go to school.
3. Based on these two statements, the argument concludes that Tamela will not be successful.
4. But the conclusion does not necessarily follow from the premises. It is possible for Tamela to still be successful even without going to school if she works hard in some other way.
5. Therefore, the argument is invalid because the conclusion can be false even when the required conditions are met.