PHANG RONGXIANG

Q1410118
COR165e
THINKING CRITICALLY
TMA01

Question 1
Answer:
(3) + (4)

(2) + (1)

(5) + (6)

(7)

(8)

Question 2
Answer:
This is a Constructive Dilemma form; it shows that if P implies Q and R
implies S then either P or R, Q or S will happen. Akin to Modus Ponens, two
conditionals can be joined as a conjunction or stately separately as two
premises. If one of the two conditions is true, then at least one of the
consequents will happen. (Wikipedia, 2013)
Premise 1: If physicians pull the plug on terminally ill patients
Premise 2: If physicians do not pull the plug on terminally ill patients
Conclusion: They risk being charged with murder or prolong their patients
pain and suffering.
(P) If physicians pull the plug on terminally ill patients then (Q) they risk being
charged with murder; but (Not-P)If physicians do not pull the plug on
terminally ill patients then (S) they prolong their patients pain and suffering.
Since physicans with terminally ill patients must do one or the other, either (Q)
they risk being charged with murder or (S) prolong their patients pain and
suffering.
Either P or Not-P
If P then Q
If Not-P then S
.. Q or S

Question 3
Answer:
If (S) Singapore manufacturers concentrate on producing a superior product,
then (W) they will be able to ward off the competition from cheaper labour
countries.
Either (T) the trade deficit will not worsen or (W) Singapore manufacturers will
not be able to ward off the competition from cheaper labour countries.
But we know that the trade deficit will indeed worsen, therefore (S) we can
safely say that Singapore manufacturers do not concentrate on producing a
superior product.

Intermediate conclusion: Singapore will not be able to ward off the competition
from cheaper labour countries.

Disjunctive Syllogism
Either Not-T or Not-W
T
.. Not-W
Affirming the Consequent
If Not-S then Not-W
Not-W
.. Not-S
This is an invalid argument and it renders it unsound automatically as it
commits the fallacy of affirming the consequent.

Question 4
Answer:
Since the inception of Section 377A of the Penal Code for Singapore in 1938,
this law criminalizes sex between mutually consenting adult men. In the eyes
of Singapore law, this can be punished with imprisonment for up to two year.
(Wikipedia, 2014) Should homosexuality in Singapore be legalized?
As a protean cosmopolitan country with more than a million foreign talents
among the estimated population of 5 million, Singapore is still largely a
conservative state.
In a recent survey conducted by the Institute of Policy Studies, 78.2 per cent
of the participants have concluded that homosexuality is wrong; in addition,
72.9 per cent was not in favor of gay marriage. (Song, 2014) This survey
focused on social morality, and based on the findings we can deduce that
Singaporeans do not feel that it is morally right for two consensual adult men
to have sex.
During the 1970s, after a series of successful campaigns to curb the
expansion of population, Singapore was faced with an all-time low birth rate.
Facing a rapidly ageing population, Singapore had to change its stance to
pro-natalist, with family as the basis of our society. (Wong & Yeoh, 2003)
Procreating became a priority with a significant increment of benefits for
heterosexual couples that are married with children.
If Singapore were to legalize homosexuality, it will be known to promote
same-sex marriages, which can be detrimental to the birth rates as
biologically, no two men can reproduce.
Therefore, for the interest of the society of Singapore, homosexuality should
not be legalized.

Bibliography
Wikipedia. (2013, June 25). Constructive Dilemma. Retrieved February 20,
2014, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructive_dilemma
Wikipedia. (2014, January 29). Section 377A of the Penal Code (Singapore).
Retrieved February 20, 2014, from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Section_377A_of_the_Penal_Code_(Singapore)
Song, O. (2014, January 28). Singaporeans still conservative about certain
social issues, says IPS survey. Retrieved February 19, 2014, from Channel
NewsAsia: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singaporeansstill/971626.html
Wong, T., & Yeoh, B. S. (2003). Fertility and the Family: An Overview of Pronatalist Population Policies in Singapore. Singapore: Asian MetaCentre.