Compound claims Chapter 6

Compound claims
According to Epstein, a compound claim is one that is composed of two claims (113).
This is a compound claim:

- We will probably go to the mall or stay at home.
- I'll bake a cake, and share it with everybody.
Sometimes compound claims connects two claims with the word "or" or "and", but not necessarily.
Do not get confused with a false dilemma because not all compound claims are false dilemmas.

Reasoning with "or" claims

This is a pattern called the disjunctive syllogism to help understand an argument with a compound claim.

A or B                A or B
not B       or        not A
so A                    so B

Here's an example:

Either Sarah plays with the kids outside, or she will do her homework.
But the kids are not playing outside.
So therefore, she will do her homework.

This argument is valid because the premises are true and so is the conclusion.