Arguments in Action Flashcards
What is a statement?
A sentence that can assert or deny something without evidence - has a truth value
What are the types of sentences?
4
Exclamation, question, command and statement
What is an argument?
A collection of statements that aims to persuade. It attempts to prove or refute with evidence, and is made up of premises and a conclusion
What is a premise?
A statement in an argument that proves the conclusion
What is a conclusion?
What the arguer is trying to persuade you of
What is standard form?
A presentation of arguments which lists the premises, and the conclusion at the end.
What is a valid argument?
When you take the premises to be true, the conclusion is guaranteed
What is an invalid argument?
When you take the premises to be true, the conclusion is not guaranteed.
What is a fallacy?
An error in reasoning
What are the 4 fallacies?
- Ad Hominem (attacking the person)
- False Dilemma
- Illegitimate Appeal to Authority
- Slippery Slope
Describe the ad hominem fallacy
When you attack the person as opposed to their argument
Describe the false dilemma fallacy
When you are presented with two options in an argument, but there are in fact more
Describe the illegitimate appeal to authority fallacy
When someone asserts a conclusion, but does not have the authority on the matter
Describe the slippery slope fallacy
When it is claimed that one thing will lead to a usually worse thing, without any logical connection between the two
