3. Deductive Arguments Flashcards
Deductive Arguments
an argument which we assess against the standard of being ‘infallible’ or perfect
Non-deductive Arguments
an argument which we assess against being reliable
When the premises of the argument try to guarantee the truth of the conclusion, we say the argument is ______
deductive
_____ arguments require the strongest kind of logical support that premises can give to a solution
deductive
which type of argument does not allow for exceptions
deductive
when the premises of an argument try to logically support the conclusion, but do not aim to guarantee its truth, the argument is _______
non-deductive
Succesful _________ arguments provide probable but not conclusive support for their conclusions
non deductive
Where is deductive argument most useful
in hard science especially mathematics
little so in every day reasoning
how do deductive arguments link premises to the conclusion?
through use of words and argument forms
how do non-deductive arguments link premise to conclusion?
through common sense or backgroud knowledge
if the argument is infallible it is ______
deductive
if the argument only relies on argument form and definitions it is ______
deductive
if the argument uses observations or generalisations with exceptions it is ______
non-deductive
an argument has logical support if _______
it meets the appropriate standards for its type of argument
What does logical support refer to?
When an argument meets appropriate standards for its type of argument
What is a valid argument
a deductive argument that meets the infallibility standard
if the premise is true then the conclusion must be true as well
what is an invalid argument
a deductive argument that does not meet the infallibility standard.
it is possible for all premises to be true but the conclusion false
what is a reasoning error
a single describable mistake which causes an argument to be invalid
What is argument form
whats left of an argument when all content is abstracted away
What is a counter-example
a description of a situation where the premises are true and the conclusion false- in response to an argument
if a deductive argument has a counter-example, it is therefore _____
invalid
even good non-deductive arguments will have ______ because there are exceptions in the real world
counter-examples
Three types of counter-example
actual
hypothetical
formal
what is an actual counter-example
a real example where the premise is true and the conclusion false
what is a hypothetical counter-example?
as it says
what is a formal counter-example?
countering through use of forms
why would one choose to use a certain type of counter-example over the other?
depends how much information you have on the subject, if youve witnessed any actual counters or whether you have a good grasp of the form of the argument
what is systematicity?
a disposition towards learning problem solving and other activities in an orderly and focused way
a formal fallacy
an argument which is bad due to its argument form rather than its content
four types of formal fallacy
Affirming the Consequent
Denying the Antecedent
Exclusive Fallacy
Negative Fallacy
Affirming the Consequent
D: If P then Q, But Q, Therefore P
Example: If it rains, I will get wet. But I am wet, therefore it rained.
Error: There are many reasons you could be wet
Denying the Antecedent
D: If P, then Q, but not P, therefore not Q
Example: If it rains, I will get wet, but it isint raining therefore I am not wet.
There are many reasons why you may be wet on a fine day
Exclusive Fallacy
D: either P or Q, but P therefore not Q
Example: Patrick drives either a leaf or a tesla
Patrick drives a Leaf
therefore, Patrick does not drive a Tesla.
Linguistically, P1 is insufficent to show that Patrick can only drive one car
