Put the argument in the following passage in standard form. …
Put the argument in the following passage in standard form. Then, propose a plausible alternative explanation, and applying the criteria of adequacy evaluate the argument. You do not need to comment on each of the criteria of adequacy, just focus on one or two of the criteria that are most relevant for preferring one theory over the other: Scientists studied twenty terminal cancer patients, taking note of the overall mental attitudes of the patients. Some of them were characterized as having negative attitudes; they were often angry at their situation and experienced feelings of hopelessness and regret. But other patients were thought to have positive attitudes; they were generally upbeat, optimistic about their treatment, and hopeful. Most of those with positive attitudes lived longer than most of those with negative attitudes. A positive attitude can lengthen cancer patients’ lives.