Syllogism — Identify which conclusions are compelled: Statements: • All astronomers are scientists. • Some scientists are shopkeepers. Conclusions: I. All astronomers are shopkeepers. II. Some shopkeepers are astronomers. III. Some shopkeepers are scientists. IV. All scientists are astronomers.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Only Conclusion III follows

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
We have one universal inclusion and one existential statement about scientists. We must filter out converses and overstatements, keeping only what the premises force.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • S1: Astronomers ⊆ Scientists.
  • S2: Some Scientists are Shopkeepers.
  • Conclusions: I “Astronomers ⊆ Shopkeepers”; II “Some Shopkeepers are Astronomers”; III “Some Shopkeepers are Scientists”; IV “Scientists ⊆ Astronomers.”


Concept / Approach:
From S2 we immediately know there exist individuals who are both Scientists and Shopkeepers; that alone proves III. However, I and II require information linking Astronomers specifically to Shopkeepers, which we do not have. IV is a converse of S1 and is not supported.



Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Take x with Scientist(x) and Shopkeeper(x) from S2 ⇒ CIII holds.2) For I to hold, we would need Astronomers ⊆ Shopkeepers; the premises give no such link.3) For II to hold, some Shopkeeper would have to be an Astronomer; possible but not necessary.4) IV claims Scientists ⊆ Astronomers, the converse of S1; not implied.



Verification / Alternative check:
Build a model where Astronomers is a tiny subset of Scientists that does not overlap with Shopkeepers, while some other Scientists are Shopkeepers. Premises true, only III follows.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Options that include I, II or IV assert more than the premises provide or rely on illicit conversion.



Common Pitfalls:
Assuming that because some Scientists are Shopkeepers, subsets of Scientists (Astronomers) are also Shopkeepers; that is invalid without additional information.



Final Answer:
Only Conclusion III follows.

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