1) Translate the following arguments into standard-form
categorical syllogisms. You might want to review section 4.8 for
help with translation. Then use Venn diagrams to determine whether
each is valid or invalid.
a) Whenever the average age of people in the U.S. increases, we
can infer that they are watching their diets and getting exercise.
Accordingly, since the average age of Americans has increased in
recent years, we can infer that people are watching their diets and
getting exercise.
b) All politicians except Mario Cuomo are nervous about the
abortion issue. Hence, Jake Pickle is nervous about the abortion
issue because Jake Pickle is not Mario Cuomo.
c) Not all clever animals will survive. Foxes are clever
animals. Thus, they are not survivors.
d) Members of the U.S. Congress cannot reject the political
consequences of accepting money from unpopular groups to finance
their campaigns unless they are willing to suffer the political
consequences. Whoever accepts money from political action
committees that support racist ideologies rejects the political
consequences of accepting money from unpopular groups. Hence,
whoever accepts money from political action committees that support
racist ideologies is willing to suffer the political
consequences.
e) The only musicians who have consciences perform at benefit
concerts. Hence classical musicians never perform at benefit
concerts, since classical musicians never have consciences.
