Question

The argument form called "denying the consequent" (or modus tollens) is:_______.

Answer 1

The 'denying the consequent' argument form, also known as modus tollens, follows a logical structure where the falsity of the consequent leads to the conclusion that the antecedent must also be false.

Step-by-step explanation:

The argument form called "denying the consequent" (or modus tollens) is a valid deductive argument structure. It is formalized in the following way:

1. If P, then Q. (Conditional statement)
2. Not Q. (Denial of the consequent)
3. Therefore, not P. (Conclusion)

This form of argumentation is based on the idea that if a consequent (necessary condition) is found to be false, then the antecedent (sufficient condition) must also be false. It's important to recognize that while the truth of the antecedent guarantees the truth of the consequent, the falsity of the consequent necessarily brings about the falsity of the antecedent.

For example, consider the following premises:

1. If it is raining, the ground will be wet. (P > Q)
2. The ground is not wet. (Not Q)
3. Therefore, it is not raining. (Not P)

This demonstrates how the modus tollens argument works by denying the consequent to reach a logical conclusion.