Question

Identify which of the five following argument forms the argument takes.

The five argument forms to choose from are: modus ponens, modus tollens, hypothetical syllogism, disjunctive syllogism and constructive dilemma.

1. ~A ⊃ ~B
2. B
3. ∴ A

Answer 1

his argument takes the form of modus tollens, which is a valid argument form in propositional logic. The argument form can be represented as:

1. If A then B

2. Not B

3. Therefore, not A

The given argument matches the form of modus tollens, where the first premise (1) is logically equivalent to its contrapositive: If B is false, then A is false. The second premise (2) is the negation of the consequent, B. The conclusion (3) is the negation of the antecedent, A.