Problem 8 - Entrance Test

Statements: 1. Some men are wise. 2. No wise person is a fool. Conclusions: I. Some men are not fools. II. All wise persons are men.

A. A. Only conclusion I follows.B. B. Only conclusion II follows.C. C. Either conclusion I or II follows.D. D. Neither conclusion I nor II follows.E. E. Both conclusions I and II follow.

Correct: A

Let's represent the statements: Statement 1: Some men are wise. (Overlap between Men and Wise circles). Statement 2: No wise person is a fool. (Wise circle and Fool circle are separate). Now, let's analyze the conclusions: I. Some men are not fools. From Statement 1, there is a portion of men who are wise. From Statement 2, no wise person is a fool. Therefore, that specific portion of men (who are wise) cannot be fools. This implies 'Some men are not fools'. Thus, Conclusion I follows. II. All wise persons are men. We only know that 'Some men are wise'. It is possible that there are wise persons who are not men (e.g., women, or other categories). So, Conclusion II does not necessarily follow. Therefore, only conclusion I follows.