Question #1056

Diagramming

Started by MrLaw · started 2019-10-30 04:22 · last activity 2019-10-30 23:00 · 3 replies

I'm confused on how to diagram this S&N condition. The prompt says two things are true of an immoral action: if performed in public they offend sensibilities, and they are accompanied by feelings of guilt. Why would you not diagram it as follows: OPS and AFG => IA not IA => notOPS or notAFG

Replies

  1. Irina · 2019-10-30 16:24

    @Alexander-Blankers, We cannot diagram it this way because the first premise is conditional - ONLY IF an immoral action is performed in public THEN it offends public sensibilities, whereas the second premise is absolute - ANY immoral action is always accompanied by feelings of guilt. (1) imm action & public -> offend sensibilities ~ offend -> ~ imm action v ~ public (2) imm action -> guilt ~ guilt -> ~ imm action These premises allow us to conclude that (A) must be false because (2) is a universal premise, all immoral actions result in feelings of guilt, it is irrelevant whether they are performed in public or not.

  2. MrLaw · 2019-10-30 17:42

    ONLY IF introduces a necessary condition, but IF introduces a necessary condition. The passage reads "If an action..." not "Only if an action..." Am I missing an interpretation of something? Thanks for your help!

  3. Irina · 2019-10-30 23:00

    @Alexander-Blankers, I did not mean "only" to be a conditional indicator, sorry about the confusion. "IF" indicates the sufficient condition in this premise. If an action is immoral AND it is performed in public - both must be true - THEN it offends sensibilities.

Sign in to reply.