Logical Reasoning Study Material for UGC NET
JRF[Updated]
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April 20, 2020
(Logical Reasoning Study Material for UGC NET JRF Based on Updated Syllabus 2019)
Logical Reasoning Syllabus! – NET Syllabus needs your attention, and it ’s super
important as sometimes Questions were asked from a mixture of topics based on below
Below Board Categories!
UGC NET Syllabus of Logical Reasoning
Understanding the structure of arguments: argument forms, the
structure of categorical propositions, Mood and Figure, Formal and
Informal fallacies, Uses of language, Connotations and denotations
of terms, Classical square of opposition. ( Covered in this article )
Evaluating and distinguishing deductive and inductive reasoning.
Analogies.
Venn diagram: Simple and multiple uses for establishing the validity
of arguments.
Indian Logic: Means of knowledge.
Pramanas: Pratyaksha (Perception), Anumana (Inference),
Upamana(Comparison), Shabda (Verbal testimony), Arthapatti
(Implication) and Anupalabddhi (Non-apprehension).
Structure and kinds of Anumana (inference), Vyapti (invariable
relation), Hetvabhasas (fallacies of inference).
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Logical Reasoning Study Material
Structuring an Argument
In this section, we will look at the structure of an argument
“I see what your premises are,” says the philosopher, “and I see your
conclusion. But I just don’t see how you get there. I don’t see the
argument.”
What is the argument?
– An argument is a claim defended with reasons. It is composed of a group of
statements with one or more statements (premises) supporting another statement
(conclusion).
An argument is an act of presenting reasons to support an individual’s position or
point of view.
It is not quarrel or dispute. Or simply, as Bassham’s definition of an argument: A
claim defended with reasons.
Arguments are the basis of persuasive communication. They are combinations of
statements made that are intended to change the minds of other people.
All arguments have structure, which can be either deliberately designed or maybe
discovered through analysis.
At its simplest, an argument has premises and a conclusion.
Main components in an argument. (a) Premises, (b) Conclusion:
– A simple argument must have a conclusion and at least two premises.
–Premises or propositions are statements that directly support the conclusion.
– A conclusion is what an author or an individual wants me to believe, accept or do.
Premise
A premise (or premiss) of an argument is something that is put forward as a truth, but
which is not proven. Although it is not proven, it is assumed to be true (although how
universally accepted this truth is maybe another matter).
It is hot in here.
This is a beautiful car.
The people of this town are angry.
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If you want to attack another person’s argument, you can challenge the truth of their
premises. If you are making an argument, you should be ready to defend any of your
premises.
The more complex the premise, the more opportunity there is to challenge it, so if you
expect a challenge, keep your premises both short and non-controversial.
As premises are the building blocks of the argument, there may well be two or more
premises in any argument.
Conclusion
The conclusion (or claim) is the statement with which you want the other person to
agree. It is drawn from the premises of the argument, of which there may be many.
We need to get out.
You should buy this car.
The new housing should be sited elsewhere.
A useful way of spotting a conclusion is that it may well be a statement of necessity,
saying what must or should happen. It may well be framed to persuade the other person
to do something or make some decision.
Inference
– Between the conclusion and the premises are further statements which translate the
premises into the conclusion. This is the reasoning process, and in a formal argument
uses careful logic (in informal arguments, emotional reasoning and assumptive leaps
may well be used).
A particular aspect of the logical argument is that inferential statements have true-false
qualities — that is, they are either true or false and nothing in between. Thus a sentence
can contain many statements.
If we stay here, we will not only get uncomfortable, we will also start to smell.
There are other people interested in this car who will be here later.
If we don’t do something, the peasants will revolt.
Inferential arguments seek to prove. Thus commands, explanations and other
statements may not directly add to the inference, although they may be a useful
component of persuasion.
Look at this. (command)
The people are angry because we did not listen to them. (explanation)
I hate it when cars don’t start. (emotion)
Implicit conclusion & implicit premise:
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– An implicit conclusion is when the conclusion is not stated outright and the arguer
assumes that you will know it.
– An implicit premise is when the premise is not stated outright and the arguer assumes
that you will know it.
Based on the above fact generally, three types of Question were asked in UGC NET
exam in the logical reasoning section –
Statement & Assumption Test
Statement & Argument Test
Statement & Inference Test
Statement & Assumption Test
Paper Pattern – Questions are givens with the statement and you need to identify which
of assumption is implicit
How to solve –
In each question below is given a statement followed by two assumptions numbered I
and II. You have to consider the statement and the following assumptions and decide
which of the assumptions is implicit in the statement.
Give answer
(A) If only assumption I am implicit
(B) If only assumption II is implicit
(C) If either I or II is implicit
(D) If neither I nor II is implicit
(E) If both I and II are implicit.
Statement:
The GOI has decided to pay compensation to the tune of Rs. 10 lakh to the family
members of those who are killed in major railway accidents.
Assumptions:
The government has enough funds to meet the expenses due to compensation.
There may be a reduction in incidents of railway accidents in the near future.
1. (A) If the only assumption I is implicit
2. (B) If only assumption II is implicit
3. (C) If either I or II is implicit
4. (D) If neither I nor II is implicit
5. (E) If both I and II are implicit.
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Heads up! These type of Question are commonly asked you need to give attention to
details. You might not able to identify that given assumption is implicit or not in the
first few attempts however one you practise more questions based on the same pattern
you will be able to identify them.
There is no shortcut to solving these problems.
If you consider the statement given that Gov of India has decided to pay 10 lakh
compensation for railway accidents that means it must have been discussed in minister
councils and subsequently rules has been provisioned after considering the amount that
might need to allocate for this fund.
Means- The government has enough funds to meet the expenses due to
compensation.
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However, The no of train incidents are unpredictable and this cant guarantee that there
will be a reduction in incidents of railway accidents in the near future.
Hence – the only assumption I is implicit
Statement & Argument Test
Paper Pattern – Questions are givens with the statement and you need to identify which
of argument is strong & week
How to solve –
Each question given below consists of a statement, followed by two arguments
numbered I and II. You have to decide which of the arguments is a ‘strong’ argument
and which is a ‘weak’ argument.
Answer:
* (A) If only argument I is strong
* (B) If only argument II is strong
* (C) If either I or II is strong
* (D) If neither I nor II is strong and
* (E) If both I and II are strong.
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Usually, in these questions, a statement is given which is followed by two arguments. An
individual is required to differentiate between strong and weak arguments.
You will see many different types of questions in this section. Usually, confusing
questions will be asked. The arguments that will be provided will generally be contrary
to each other.
You have to choose the strong argument which satisfies the Statement.
Strong Arguments may contain the universal truth, decisions taken by the
Government etc.,
Weak Arguments may contain simple logic, superfluous and ambiguous.
Example 1-
Statement:
Should taxes on colour television be further increased?
Arguments:
Yes, Colour television is a luxury item and only rich people buy them.
No, Televisions are bought by the poor too.
1. Only argument I is strong
2. Only argument II is strong
3. Either I or II is strong
4. Neither I nor II is strong
5. Both I and II are strong
Answer: Option 4
Explanation:
Taxes on an item cannot be increased or decreased based on the financial position of the
people who buy it. So, both arguments I and II do not hold strong.
Example 2-
Statement:
Should India become a permanent member of the UN’s Security Council?
Arguments:
Yes. India has emerged as a country which loves peace and amity.
No. Let us first solve the problems of our people like poverty, malnutrition.
1. Only argument I is strong
2. Only argument II is strong
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3. Either I or II is strong
4. Neither I nor II is strong
5. Both I and II are strong
Answer: Option 1
Explanation:
A peace-loving nation like India can well join an international forum which seeks to
bring different nations on friendly terms with each other. So, the argument I hold
strong.
Argument II highlights a different aspect. The internal problems of a nation should not
debar it from strengthening international ties. So, argument II is vague.
Statement & Inference Test
Paper Pattern – Questions are givens with the statement and you need to identify which
of inference/Conclusion is correct.
How to solve –
In each question below is given a statement followed by two conclusions numbered I
and II. You have to assume everything in the statement to be true, then consider the two
conclusions together and decide which of them logically follows beyond a reasonable
doubt from the information given in the statement.
Give answer:
(A) If only conclusion I follows
(B) If only conclusion II follows
(C) If either I or II follows
(D) If neither I nor II follows and
(E) If both I and II follow
Statements:
The government has spoiled many top-ranking financial institutions by appointing
bureaucrats as Directors of these institutions.
Conclusions:
The government should appoint Directors of the financial institutes taking into
consideration the expertise of the person in the area of finance.
The Director of the financial institutions should have expertise commensurate
with the financial work carried out by the institute.
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A. Only conclusion I follows
B. Only conclusion II follows
C. Either I or II follows
D. Neither I nor II follows
E. Both I and II follow
Answer: Option E
Explanation:
According to the statement, the Government has spoiled financial institutions by the
appointing bureaucrats as Directors. This means that only those persons should be
appointed as Directors who are experts in finance and are acquainted with the
financial work of the institute. So, both I and II follow.
Statement:
Should an organization like UNO be dissolved?
Arguments:
Yes. With cold war coming to an end, such organizations have no role to play
No, In the absence of such organizations there may be a world war.
A. Only argument I is strong
B. Only argument II is strong
C. Either I or II is strong
D. Neither I nor II is strong
E. Both I and II are strong
Answer: Option B
Explanation:
An organization like UNO is meant to maintain peace all over and will always serve
to prevent conflicts between countries. So, its role never ends. So, the argument I do
not hold. Also, lack of such an organization may in future lead to increased mutual
conflicts and international wars, on account of lack of a common platform for mutual
discussions. So, argument II holds.
Reference Study materials –
Understanding the Structure of Argument is covered in this blog article
– Other topics are also covered in subsequent articles. Stay tuned stay posted!
please feel free to reach the ugcnetpaper1 team at – [email protected] in case
you have any question and doubt around this.
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