Are these arguments valid?

John shot himself in the head. So John is dead
John shot himself in the head. So John shot himself in the head.
All management consultants are bald. Peter is bald. So Peter is a management
consultant.


Answer: This is not valid. Although the conclusion is very likely to be true given the
premise, it is not a logical consequence of the premise. Perhaps a brilliant doctor
managed to save John.

Answer: This is valid. This is a circular argument, because the conclusion is also a
premise. It is nonetheless valid, because it is impossible for the premises to be true
while the conclusion is false.

Answer: This is not valid. That all management consultants happen to be bald does not demand that all bald people are management consultants. Peter could have another career and be bald. For example, perhaps Peter is a monk who happened to have shaved his hair.

Philosophy & Belief

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