Chapter 5

Question 1

Principle of Charity (PC)

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

Descriptive writing

Answer 2

Writing in which the author merely describes some event or situations.

Question 3

Argumentative writing

Answer 3

The author makes attempts to establish the truth of any particular claim.

Question 4

Rhetorical writing

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Conclusion indicators

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Explicit conclusion

Answer 6

A conclusion that is stated directly and clearly.

Question 7

Implicit conclusion

Answer 7

Writers sometimes neglect to state their conclusions at all.

Question 8

Specific statements

Answer 8

Premises that state facts about specific individuals.

Question 9

Generalizations

Answer 9

Premises that state facts about general categories or kinds of individuals.

Question 10

Quantifiers

Answer 10

Words used in generalizations, “some”, “most”, “all”, “many”.

Question 11

Universal generalization

Answer 11

Contains the word “all”

Question 12

Non-universal generalization

Answer 12

Contains the words “most” or “some” or “many”.

Question 13

Linking premise

Answer 13

A premise that connects the stated premises to the conclusion of the argument, making the argument well-formed.

Question 14

Principle of Faithfulness (PF)

Answer 14

Add implicit premises that are consistent with the intentions of the author of the argument.

Question 15

Principle of Charity for Implicit Premises (PCI)

Answer 15

Add implicit premises that are reasonable to accept rather than implicit premises that are obviously false.

Question 16

Narrow generalization

Answer 16

Applies to specific thing. Better for being charitable.

Question 17

Wide generalization

Answer 17

Applies to all the things a narrow generalization applies to and some other things as well.

Question 18

Generalization principle (PG)

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Missing quantifier

Answer 19

People state generalizations without using any quantifier.

Question 20

Cheap Validity

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

Steps of Argument Analysis

Answer 21

1. ) Decide if there’s an argument.
2. ) 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.

Question 22

Premise indicators

Answer 22

Words and phrases making the occurrence of a premise.