Concept Terms

Question 1

Proposition

Answer 1

A statement that can be true or false.

Question 2

Non-proposition

Answer 2

Something that isn’t a statement.

Question 3

Argument

Answer 3

A group of statements aiming to support a conclusion.

Question 4

Non-argument

Answer 4

A group of statements not aiming to support a conclusion.

Question 5

Premise

Answer 5

A statement providing support in an argument.

Question 6

Conclusion

Answer 6

The main point an argument aims to establish.

Question 7

Deductive Argument

Answer 7

An argument where the conclusion must follow from the premises.

Question 8

Inductive Argument

Answer 8

An argument where the conclusion is likely based on the premises.

Question 9

Valid/Invalid

Answer 9

Whether an argument’s structure guarantees the truth of the conclusion.

Question 10

Sound/Unsound

Answer 10

When an argument is both valid and has true premises.

Question 11

Strong/Weak

Answer 11

The strength of an inductive argument in providing support for its conclusion.

Question 12

Cogent/Uncogent

Answer 12

When an inductive argument is strong and has true premises.

Question 13

Informal Fallacy

Answer 13

Errors in reasoning that don’t follow strict logical rules

Question 14

Formal Fallacy

Answer 14

Errors in reasoning due to the structure of an argument.

Question 15

Antecedent

Answer 15

The “if” part of a conditional statement

Question 16

Consequent

Answer 16

The “then” part of a conditional statement.

Question 17

Modus Ponens

Answer 17

A valid deductive argument form: If P, then Q. P is true, so Q is true.

Question 18

Modus Tollens

Answer 18

A valid deductive argument form: If P, then Q. Not Q is true, so not P is true.

Question 19

Affirming the Consequent

Answer 19

A formal fallacy: If P, then Q. Q is true, so P is true.

Question 20

Denying the Antecedent

Answer 20

A formal fallacy: If P, then Q. Not P is true, so not Q is true.

Question 21

The Fallacy Fallacy

Answer 21

Mistakenly claiming that an argument is incorrect solely because it contains a fallacy.

Question 22

Credibility of an Information Source

Answer 22

The trustworthiness and reliability of the source providing information.

Question 23

Reliability of an Information Source

Answer 23

The consistency and accuracy of the source in providing information over time.

Question 24

Cognitive bias

Answer 24

The systematic pattern of deviation from rationality in judgment and decision-making.

Question 25

Confirmation bias

Answer 25

The tendency to seek, interpret, and remember information that confirms existing beliefs.

Question 26

Cognitive bias

Answer 26

The systematic pattern of deviation from rationality in judgment and decision-making.

Question 27

Representativeness bias

Answer 27

The tendency to judge the likelihood of an event based on how similar it is to a prototype or existing category.

Question 28

Anchoring and adjustment bias

Answer 28

The tendency to rely heavily on the first piece of information encountered when making decisions and then adjust from that starting point.

Question 29

Availability bias

Answer 29

The tendency to overestimate the importance or likelihood of events based on their ease of recall.

Question 30

Selection bias

Answer 30

The bias that arises when the sample used for analysis is not representative of the population being studied.

Question 31

Heuristic

Answer 31

Mental shortcuts or simple rules of thumb used to make decisions quickly.

Question 32

Principle of Charity

Answer 32

The practice of interpreting an argument or statement in the most favorable way possible.

Question 33

Argument mapping terms/concepts

Answer 33

Methods to visually represent the relationships between premises and conclusions in an argument.

Question 34

Direct support

Answer 34

The relationship where a premise explicitly provides direct evidence for the conclusion.

Question 35

Indirect support

Answer 35

The relationship where a premise indirectly supports the conclusion through other premises.

Question 36

Independent support

Answer 36

The relationship where multiple premises each provide separate and independent support for the conclusion.

Question 37

Conjoint support

Answer 37

The relationship where multiple premises work together to jointly support the conclusion.

Question 38

Hidden assumptions

Answer 38

Unstated premises or background beliefs that are necessary for an argument to be valid or sound.

Question 39

Ad Hominem

Answer 39

Attacking the character or personality of the person making the argument instead of addressing the argument’s substance

Question 40

Genetic Fallacy

Answer 40

Rejecting an argument based on its origin or the source it comes from, rather than assessing the argument’s merits.

Question 41

Straw Figure

Answer 41

Misrepresenting or oversimplifying someone’s argument to make it easier to attack or refute.

Question 42

Red Herring

Answer 42

Introducing an irrelevant topic or distracting information to divert attention from the main argument

Question 43

Appeal to Authority

Answer 43

Using the opinion or endorsement of an authority figure, rather than substantive evidence, to support a claim

Question 44

Appeal to Force

Answer 44

Using threats or coercion to persuade someone to accept a conclusion

Question 45

Appeal to Popularity (Argumentum ad Populum)

Answer 45

Arguing that a claim must be true because many people believe it

Question 46

Appeal to Consequences (Argumentum ad Consequentiam)

Answer 46

Arguing that a claim is true or false based on its perceived positive or negative consequences, rather than the evidence supporting it

Question 47

Equivocation

Answer 47

Using ambiguous language or words with multiple meanings to mislead or confuse the audience

Question 48

Appeal to Ignorance (Argumentum ad Ignorantiam)

Answer 48

Assuming a claim is true (or false) because it has not been proven false (or true)

Question 49

Slippery Slope

Answer 49

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

Question 50

Texas Sharpshooter / Cherry Picking

Answer 50

Selectively focusing on data or evidence to support a claim while ignoring or dismissing contradictory data.

Question 51

Post hoc (Post hoc ergo propter hoc)

Answer 51

Assuming that because one event follows another, the first event caused the second.

Question 52

Hasty Generalization

Answer 52

Drawing a conclusion based on insufficient or limited evidence, often from a small sample size that may not be representative of the whole

Question 53

False Dilemma (False Dichotomy)

Answer 53

Presenting an argument as if there are only two options, when, there are more alternatives to consider

Question 54

Deductive Reasoning

Answer 54

You start with a big idea (called a premise), and you follow it to a specific conclusion

Question 55

Inductive Reasoning

Answer 55

Doesn’t give you a definite answer, but it helps you make a guess based on patterns you notice

Question 56

System 1 Thinking

Answer 56

The fast, automatic, and intuitive way your brain processes information without requiring conscious effort.

Question 57

System 2 Thinking:

Answer 57

The slower, deliberate, and conscious way your brain analyzes information, makes decisions, and solves problems by actively engaging your cognitive resources