Question

A counterexample for an argument is a different argument that has the same form and has premises known to be true and a conclusion known to be false.

Select the argument (if any) which is a counterexample for the following argument:

If Ned compliments Erica, she'll think he's nice. He won't compliment her. Thus she won't think he's nice.

Answer 1

A counterexample is used to demonstrate that an argument's premises can be true without the conclusion being true, invalidating the argument structure.

Step-by-step explanation:

A counterexample to an argument is a scenario where the premises are true but lead to a false conclusion, thus demonstrating that the structure of the argument is invalid. For the argument 'If Ned compliments Erica, she'll think he's nice. He won't compliment her. Thus, she won't think he's nice,' one must find a different argument with premises that are known to be true and a conclusion that is known to be false as a counterexample.

Let's consider this argument as a potential counterexample:

• If it rains, the ground will get wet.
• It will not rain.
• Thus, the ground will not get wet.

This argument follows the same structure; however, the conclusion might be false because there could be other reasons for the ground to get wet, such as a sprinkler system. Therefore, this argument can serve as a counterexample because it shows that the absence of the condition (Ned's compliment/rain) does not guarantee the absence of the outcome (Erica thinking Ned is nice/the ground getting wet).