Discussion questions

HSP 135-01
Albion College
Fall 02025

Discussion questions for TLC, Ch. 13-14
DLs: TBIAA

1. At the start of chapter 13, Venn quotes De Morgan saying "Probability was "the unknown God whom the schoolmen ignorantly worshipped..." when referring to modality. What do you make of this statement? Do you agree with this?

2. Venn later mentions that an easy way to think about modality is simply "denying that modality has any connection whatever with logic." How would thinking like this make explaining modality easier? Is it right to deny any connection between these two subjects? Especially considering his later mention of logic to process this.

3. Having said the easy way to think about modality, why does Venn such a big transition from saying modality has no connection to logic to talking about the modal syllogism, something entirely logic based? Especially considering he calls it "unreasonable to reject"

4. Late in chapter 14 Venn states " A common mistake is to assume that a very unlikely thing will not happen at all." We have discussed this briefly in class before, ass all people make this assumption. What do you think of Venn's take on the idea?

5. It is mentioned that, �the complete justification of our inferences is a matter which involves their truth of falsehood�, but Hamilton and Mansel were, �only occupied with the consistency of our reasonings, not with their conformity with fact�. Do you believe this is an appropriate response? (pg. 300)

6. De Morgan claimed that, �people were much more frequently required to decide in one way or the other upon a single testimony, without there being a sufficiency of specific knowledge to test the statements made. What issues do you observe from this approach? (pg. 308)

7. Juries are expected to convict a person if they have no reasonable doubt. Do you believe this is always the case for every jury? (pg. 325)

8. How likely are people to believe a fallacy, can you think of a time when you thought a fallacy was true? (pg. 337)

9. Do you think that gambling fallacies are the worst kind of fallacies, would casinos be as profitable as they are today without people having fallacies? (pg. 343)