Question 1 Pragmatism says that a text means whatever a reader thinks it means.

Question

Question 1

Pragmatism says that a text means whatever a reader thinks it means.

True

False

Question 2

Pragmatism says that a text means whatever most people think it means.

True

False

Question 3

This is a proper application of modus ponens.

1. If the meaning of a text can change over time, then the intentions of the author(s) do not matter.

2. The meaning of a text cannot change over time.

3. Thus, the intentions of the author(s) do not matter.

True

False

Question 4

Originalists hold that the meaning of a text is set by the author(s) intentions.

True

False

Question 5

Posner defends originalism.

True

False

Question 6

This is a proper application of modus tollens.

1. If the authors intentions determine the meaning of the Constitution, we are all slaves to the authors of the Constitution.

2. We are not slaves to the authors of the Constitution.

3. Thus, the authors intentions do not determine the meaning of the Constitution.

True

False

Question 7

Posner cites some passages that nobody interprets the way the Founders did. This serves as evidence in his argument. Thus, we call those passages 'premises.'

True

False

Question 8

As a Pragmatist, Posner thinks all readings of the Constitution are equally defensible.

True

False

Question 9

This is a correct application of Disjunctive Syllogism.

1. Either the meaning of the Constitution can change over time or the meaning is set by the intentions of the authors.

2. The meaning cannot change over time.

3. Thus, the meaning is set by the intentions of the authors.

True

False

Question 10

If the proposition "Posner thinks the meaning of the Constitution can change over time" matches the world, we all the proposition 'True.'

True

False

Explanation / Answer

Question 1 Pragmatism means an approach that evaluates theories or beliefs in terms of the success of their practical application. Hence it is false to say that pragmatism says that a text means whatever a reader thinks it means.

Question 2 As stated earlier pragmatism means an approach that evaluates theories or beliefs in terms of the success of their practical application. Hence it is false to say that pragmatism means whatever most people think it means.

Question 3 Since this is a proper application of modus ponens which states that if a conditional statement (‘if p then q ’) is accepted, and the antecedent ( p ) holds, then the consequent ( q ) may be inferred. Therefore, If the meaning of a text can change over time, then the intentions of the author(s) do not matter.

Here p is the change over time. While, q is intentions of the author(s) which do not matter

The meaning of a text cannot change over time.

Thus, the intentions of the author(s) do not matter.

Hence, the assertion is true.

Question4 Originalists:interpreted based on the intent of its authors, as determined byexamining evidence of their understanding of the meaning of its wording in its historical context.

Thus it is true to say originalists hold that the meaning of a text is set by the author(s) intentions.

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