CHAPTER: 5 DILEMMA.

SR. CHAPTER NAME QUESTIONS

No

1 What is dilemma and kinds of

dilemma.

2 Simple constructive dilemma. Short notes.

3 Complex constructive dilemma. Essay type question.

4 Simple destructive dilemma. Short notes.

5 Complex destructive dilemma. Short notes.

6 Question and answer format for 12 Essay type of question.

marks question

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 1. WHAT IS A DILEMMA?
Dilemma is a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two
or more alternatives.

2. TYPES OF DILEMMA:

2.1 SIMPLE CONSTRUCTIVE DILEMMA:

Definition:
It is a kind of dilemma where the major premise is the conjunction of two
hypothetical propositions with the same consequent. The minor premise is a
disjunctive argument which affirms the antecedent and the conclusion is a
categorical proposition which affirms the consequent.

Symbolic form:
(p ⊃ q) . (r ⊃ q)
pvr
________________
∴q

Example:
If I go by auto then I will be stuck in the traffic and if I go by bus I will be stuck
in the traffic.

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Either I go by auto or I go by bus
Therefore I will be stuck in the traffic
2.2 COMPLEX CONSTRUCTIVE DILEMMA (CCD)

Definition:
It is a kind of dilemma, where the major premise is a conjunction of 2
hypothetical propositions,the minor premise is a disjunctive proposition which
affirms the antecedent and the conclusion is a disjunctive proposition which
affirms the consequent.

Symbolic form:
(p ⊃ q) . (r ⊃ s)
pvr
_______________
∴qvs

Example :
If I go out with my friends then my dad will be upset and if I call my friends at
home my mom will be upset.
Either I will go out with my friends or I will call my friends at home.
Therefore either my dad will be upset or my mom will be upset.

2.3 SIMPLE DESTRUCTIVE DILEMMA (SDD):

Definition:
It is a kind of dilemma, where the major premise is a conjunction of two
hypothetical propositions with a common antecedent. The minor premise is a
disjunctive proposition which denies the consequent and the conclusion is a
categorical proposition which denies the antecedent.

Symbolic form:
(p ⊃ q) . (p ⊃ r)
~q v ~r
_______________
∴ ~p

Example:
If I buy a dress then it will be red in colour and if I buy a dress I will go to the
party.
Either the dress will not be red in colour or I will not go to the party.

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Therefore I will not buy a dress.

2.4 COMPLEX DESTRUCTIVE DILEMMA (CDD)

Definition:
It is a kind of dilemma where the major premise is a conjunction of two
hypothetical propositions. The minor premise is a disjunctive proposition which
denies the consequent and the conclusion is a disjunctive proposition which
denies the antecedent.

Symbolic form:
(p ⊃ q) . (r ⊃ s)

~q v ~s
________________
∴ ~p v ~r

Example :
If my mom is at home then I will study and if my dad is at home then I will
cook.
Either I will not study or I will not cook.
Therefore either my mom is not at home or my dadi is not at home.

NOTE: Short notes can be asked on SCD, SDD and CDD. An essay type of
question will be asked on CCD for 12 marks.

3. QUESTION AND ANSWER FORMAT FOR 12 MARKS :

Question:
Construct a CCD for the following statement and rebut and refute it:
If I go by bus then I am caught in traffic and if I go by train then I am caught in
a rush.

Answer:
In order to construct a complex constructive dilemma on the basis of the given
question, we shall first find the components of the dilemma as follows:
p : I go by bus
q : I am caught in the traffic
r : I go by train

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s : I am caught in the rush

With the help of these components we shall construct a complex constructive

dilemma in following symbolic form and word form:

Symbolic form:
(p ⊃ q) . (r ⊃ s)

pvr
_______________
∴qvs

Word form:
If I go by bus then I am caught in the traffic and if I go by train then I am
caught in a rush.
Either I go by bus or I go by train.
Therefore either I am caught in the traffic or I am caught in the rush.

The given dilemma can be met and be resolved in two ways:

A) REBUTTAL
B) REFUTATION

Rebuttal of dilemma:
Rebuttal of dilemma is purely based on the form of the argument. It is not
concerned with the content of the argument. With the help of rebuttal we can
prove the opposite conclusion. This can be seen with symbolic as well as
word form.

Symbolic form:
(p ⊃ ∼s) . (r ⊃ ∼q)

pvr
_________________
∴ ∼s v ∼q

Word form:
If I go by bus then I am not caught in the rush and if I go by train then I am not
caught in the traffic
Either I go by bus or I go by train.
Therefore either I am not caught in the rush or I am not caught in the traffic.

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Refutation of dilemma:
Refutation of dilemma is a material process. It is a reversal of a dilemma
where we try to prove that the conclusion does not necessarily follow. This can
be done in two ways:
a) By taking the dilemma by horns.
b) By escaping between the horns of dilemma.

Taking the dilemma by horns:

It is a kind of refutation where we are concerned with the matter of arguments.
In this kind of refutation we question the major premise and hence the
conclusion. Thus we show that the conclusion of the dilemma does not
necessarily follow.

Symbolic form:
(p ⊃ q (?) ) . (r ⊃ s (?) )

pvr
_____________________
∴ q v s (?)

Word form:
If I go by bus do I really get caught in the traffic? And if I go by train, do I really
get caught in the rush ?
Either I go by bus or by train.
Therefore either I am caught in the traffic or I am caught in the rush. (does this
conclusion necessarily follow? Not so)
Thus with this kind of refutation we prove that the conclusion does not
necessarily follow

Escaping between the horns of dilemma:

It is a kind of refutation where we shall question the minor premise by showing
the alternatives are not collectively exhaustive and therefore there can be
some other alternatives possible as well. And hence the conclusion does not
necessarily follow.
.
Symbolically it can be expressed as:
(p ⊃ q) . (r ⊃ s)
p v r (v t)

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__________________
∴ q v s (?)
Word form:
The given dilemma can be refuted by escaping between the horns of dilemma
as follows:
If I go by bus then I am caught in traffic and if I go by train then I will be caught
in a rush.
Either I go by bus or by train or by plane (or by some other alternative)
Therefore either I am caught in the traffic or in the rush. (does this conclusion
necessarily follow ? Not so.

NOTE: While writing the other alternative we can use any alternative which
fits in the situation and if we do not find a suitable alternative we can simply
write ‘ some other alternative’.

Conclusion:
Thus with the help of rebuttal and refutation of dilemma we can meet the
dilemma and prove it to be invaliid.

NOTE FOR 12 MARKS QUESTION: At times we are given the minor

premise and the conclusion and we have to form the major premise.
Example:
Either I pay taxes or I don’t pay taxes
Therefore either I am broke or I am penalised.
So, the components of the dilemma are:
p- I pay taxes
q- I am broke
r- I don't pay taxes
s- I am penalised
With the help of these components we can construct the major premise and
the CCD in symbolic as well as word form.