Concept Terms Flashcards
Proposition
A statement that can be true or false.
Non-proposition
Something that isn’t a statement.
Argument
A group of statements aiming to support a conclusion.
Non-argument
A group of statements not aiming to support a conclusion.
Premise
A statement providing support in an argument.
Conclusion
The main point an argument aims to establish.
Deductive Argument
An argument where the conclusion must follow from the premises.
Inductive Argument
An argument where the conclusion is likely based on the premises.
Valid/Invalid
Whether an argument’s structure guarantees the truth of the conclusion.
Sound/Unsound
When an argument is both valid and has true premises.
Strong/Weak
The strength of an inductive argument in providing support for its conclusion.
Cogent/Uncogent
When an inductive argument is strong and has true premises.
Informal Fallacy
Errors in reasoning that don’t follow strict logical rules
Formal Fallacy
Errors in reasoning due to the structure of an argument.
Antecedent
The “if” part of a conditional statement
Consequent
The “then” part of a conditional statement.
Modus Ponens
A valid deductive argument form: If P, then Q. P is true, so Q is true.
Modus Tollens
A valid deductive argument form: If P, then Q. Not Q is true, so not P is true.
Affirming the Consequent
A formal fallacy: If P, then Q. Q is true, so P is true.
Denying the Antecedent
A formal fallacy: If P, then Q. Not P is true, so not Q is true.
The Fallacy Fallacy
Mistakenly claiming that an argument is incorrect solely because it contains a fallacy.
Credibility of an Information Source
The trustworthiness and reliability of the source providing information.
Reliability of an Information Source
The consistency and accuracy of the source in providing information over time.
Cognitive bias
The systematic pattern of deviation from rationality in judgment and decision-making.
Confirmation bias
The tendency to seek, interpret, and remember information that confirms existing beliefs.
Cognitive bias
The systematic pattern of deviation from rationality in judgment and decision-making.
Representativeness bias
The tendency to judge the likelihood of an event based on how similar it is to a prototype or existing category.
Anchoring and adjustment bias
The tendency to rely heavily on the first piece of information encountered when making decisions and then adjust from that starting point.
Availability bias
The tendency to overestimate the importance or likelihood of events based on their ease of recall.
Selection bias
The bias that arises when the sample used for analysis is not representative of the population being studied.
Heuristic
Mental shortcuts or simple rules of thumb used to make decisions quickly.
Principle of Charity
The practice of interpreting an argument or statement in the most favorable way possible.
Argument mapping terms/concepts
Methods to visually represent the relationships between premises and conclusions in an argument.
Direct support
The relationship where a premise explicitly provides direct evidence for the conclusion.
Indirect support
The relationship where a premise indirectly supports the conclusion through other premises.
Independent support
The relationship where multiple premises each provide separate and independent support for the conclusion.
Conjoint support
The relationship where multiple premises work together to jointly support the conclusion.
Hidden assumptions
Unstated premises or background beliefs that are necessary for an argument to be valid or sound.
Ad Hominem
Attacking the character or personality of the person making the argument instead of addressing the argument’s substance
Genetic Fallacy
Rejecting an argument based on its origin or the source it comes from, rather than assessing the argument’s merits.
Straw Figure
Misrepresenting or oversimplifying someone’s argument to make it easier to attack or refute.
Red Herring
Introducing an irrelevant topic or distracting information to divert attention from the main argument
Appeal to Authority
Using the opinion or endorsement of an authority figure, rather than substantive evidence, to support a claim
Appeal to Force
Using threats or coercion to persuade someone to accept a conclusion
Appeal to Popularity (Argumentum ad Populum)
Arguing that a claim must be true because many people believe it
Appeal to Consequences (Argumentum ad Consequentiam)
Arguing that a claim is true or false based on its perceived positive or negative consequences, rather than the evidence supporting it
Equivocation
Using ambiguous language or words with multiple meanings to mislead or confuse the audience
Appeal to Ignorance (Argumentum ad Ignorantiam)
Assuming a claim is true (or false) because it has not been proven false (or true)
Slippery Slope
Arguing that a relatively small event or action will lead to a chain of catastrophic consequences without sufficient evidence to support such a chain of events
Texas Sharpshooter / Cherry Picking
Selectively focusing on data or evidence to support a claim while ignoring or dismissing contradictory data.
Post hoc (Post hoc ergo propter hoc)
Assuming that because one event follows another, the first event caused the second.
Hasty Generalization
Drawing a conclusion based on insufficient or limited evidence, often from a small sample size that may not be representative of the whole
False Dilemma (False Dichotomy)
Presenting an argument as if there are only two options, when, there are more alternatives to consider
Deductive Reasoning
You start with a big idea (called a premise), and you follow it to a specific conclusion
Inductive Reasoning
Doesn’t give you a definite answer, but it helps you make a guess based on patterns you notice
System 1 Thinking
The fast, automatic, and intuitive way your brain processes information without requiring conscious effort.
System 2 Thinking:
The slower, deliberate, and conscious way your brain analyzes information, makes decisions, and solves problems by actively engaging your cognitive resources
