II - Reason and Logic

1)   (True/False) Any effect has one and only one cause

2)   (True/False) Any complex systemic behavior can be accurately described with averages

3)   (True/False) Because a procedure provides benefits in one situation, it will provide benefits in all situations and under all conditions

4)   Mary, a friend of mine, was killed by a meteorite on her 30^th birthday just as she blew out the candles on her birthday cake. Therefore which of the following must be true

a)    Meteor strikes are common

b)   Birthday candle smoke attracts meteors

c)    Meteors can only hurt you on your 30^th birthday

d)   The Government should safeguard the population from falling meteorites

e)    The government should guarantee a meteorite hits everyone on their 30^th birthday

f)    Mary’s birthday was on a full moon

g)   Anecdotal evidence is proof of just about anything

 

5)   An Empirical fact is

a)    Something that conservatives require in “proofs”

b)   Validated as true when enough people consent to believe it to be true

c)    Validated as true when it has been repeated enough times

d)   Validated as true when subjected to an objective process such as the scientific method

e)    No longer an empirical fact if presented by a biased source

f)    Something believed by an expert or a PhD

g)   Any statistical information that appears to fit liberal beliefs

 

6)   Which statement below best describes the scientific method

a)    Observation followed by a Hypothesis, Use the Hypothesis to predict behavior, test behavior to see if it matches predictions, If not, revise hypothesis. If predictions match have 3^rd  party duplicate and confirm hypothesized  law of nature

b)   Form Hypothesis followed by Observations, Use the  Observations to determine ideal  behavior, Predict new law will result in ideal behavior, enact law

c)    Form Hypothesis about behavior, Test behavior to see if it matches Hypothesis , If behavior fails to match hypothesis, enact law to change behavior, use law to predict observations

d)   Form hypothesis that predicts observations and behaviors, enact law that mandates the observations and behaviors predicted by the hypothesis. If a 3^rd party fails to confirm the observations and behaviors mandated by law, label 3^rd party with a derogatory name and chant slogans

 

7)   Where there is a substantial correlation between A and B, this means that

a)    A causes B

b)   B causes A

c)    Both A and B are Caused by C or C and D or C,D and E, etc

d)   It is a coincidence

 

8)   Cum Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc is

a)    A fallacy where a correlation between two events is taken as proof that one event causes the other one without disproof of other possible causes

b)   A fundamental Premise of Liberal Reasoning

c)    An illegal sexual act involving birds of prey

d)   A conservative slogan

 

9)   Tu Quoque is:

a)    Fallacy in which one attempts to defend against  criticism by turning the critique back against the accuser or a 3^rd party

b)   A commonly used Liberal Debating technique

c)    Proof that Republican positions are wrong

d)   What George W. Bush does when he is alone

 

10)  When discussing or presenting a liberal political issue or policy to others you should

a)    Bury it in a generic beneficial category such as “change” or “diversity”

b)   Pretend to speak for other groups in terms of what they want, believe or need

c)    Assert that the subject is a human right that all people should have access to

d)   Redefine the terms used to discuss it to create deliberate misunderstandings

e)    Extrapolate statistical trends that have limiting factors

f)    When showing A is more than B, discount parts of B and exaggerate A by including other non-relevant or less significant groups in the definition of A

g)   Reference an  expert’s opinions as proof

h)   Choose a base year that yields the desired type of trend

i)    Use anecdotal evidence and imply it is a common situation

j)    Present only elements that support your conclusions

k)   Claim your views are “scientific”

 

11)  When dealing with facts and policies that are opposed to liberal beliefs or policies you should

a)    Question the morality or motiviations of the presenter

b)   Dismiss the facts as anomalies

c)    Explain a groundless and unproven theory that dismisses the results

d)   Dismiss the facts and policies as “simplistic” or “inane”

e)    Dismiss them because they don’t represent a 100% effective solution or panacea

f)    Accuse the presenter of “reflexive reactions”

g)   Accuse the presenter of “blind adherence to mythology” or “Blind Patriotism”

h)   Accuse the presenter of “prejudice” or “stereotyping” or “racism”

i)    Accuse the presenter of “unfounded fear”

j)    Accuse the presenter of being “too emotional” or “unstable”

k)   Do not respond at all