Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: None follows
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:We must judge whether any of the conclusions is forced by the premises. Be careful: showing that a conclusion is “possible” is not enough; it must be necessary given the statements.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Step-by-Step Solution:
(I) “Some tables are lions.” Not necessary. Tables could include many non-rabbit items, but the premises do not force any Table to be a Lion. A compliant model can keep Tables disjoint from Lions except for Horses, which need not be Tables.(II) “Some horses are rabbits.” No link is given between Horses and Rabbits; the overlap is not compelled.(III) “No lion is a table.” Also not compelled. It is consistent that some non-rabbit Tables could be Lions, though not required. Hence this universal negative does not necessarily follow.Verification / Alternative check:
Construct a model where Tables = Rabbits only. Then Tables and Lions are disjoint, satisfying premises; (I) is false, (III) true in this model, but a different model could add extra Tables overlapping Lions without contradicting premises, making (III) false. Since conclusions vary across valid models, none is necessary.Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Any option selecting I, II, or III treats a merely possible relation as necessary.Common Pitfalls:
Assuming “All Rabbits are Tables” implies “All Tables are Rabbits.” It does not; subset is one-way.Final Answer:
None follows
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