Chapter 5 Flashcards
Principle of Charity (PC)
When reconstructing an argument, try to formulate a reconstruction that is well-formed, has reasonable premises, and is undefeated. In other worlds, make the argument as strong as possible.
Descriptive writing
Writing in which the author merely describes some event or situations.
Argumentative writing
The author makes attempts to establish the truth of any particular claim.
Rhetorical writing
Writing that expresses a point of view about a topic but contains nothing designed to show the truth of its point of view. Asserts author’s views, perhaps peacefully or forcefully.
Conclusion indicators
Common words and phrases are used to tell readers that a conclusion that has been, or is about to be stated.
Ex: hence, therefore, thus, I conclude that, So, it follows that.
Explicit conclusion
A conclusion that is stated directly and clearly.
Implicit conclusion
Writers sometimes neglect to state their conclusions at all.
Specific statements
Premises that state facts about specific individuals.
Generalizations
Premises that state facts about general categories or kinds of individuals.
Quantifiers
Words used in generalizations, “some”, “most”, “all”, “many”.
Universal generalization
Contains the word “all”
Non-universal generalization
Contains the words “most” or “some” or “many”.
Linking premise
A premise that connects the stated premises to the conclusion of the argument, making the argument well-formed.
Principle of Faithfulness (PF)
Add implicit premises that are consistent with the intentions of the author of the argument.
Principle of Charity for Implicit Premises (PCI)
Add implicit premises that are reasonable to accept rather than implicit premises that are obviously false.
Narrow generalization
Applies to specific thing. Better for being charitable.
Wide generalization
Applies to all the things a narrow generalization applies to and some other things as well.
Generalization principle (PG)
When adding a generalization as an implicit premise in an argument, add a true wide generalization rather than a true narrow one, and add a true narrow one rather than a false wide one.
Missing quantifier
People state generalizations without using any quantifier.
Cheap Validity
Adding a conditional saying that if the premises are true, then the conclusion is true, making any argument valid.
Ex: P1. P1.
P2. → P2.
C. If P1 and P2, then C.
C.
Steps of Argument Analysis
- ) Decide if there’s an argument.
- ) Reconstruct the argument.
a. ) Identify the conclusion.
b. ) Identify explicit premises.
c. ) Check if argument is well-formed.
d. ) Add implicit premises if needed (PCI, PG, PF).
e. ) Possible to consider several different reconstructions & explain the merits & faults of each.
Premise indicators
Words and phrases making the occurrence of a premise.
