Exam 1 Flashcards
Define argument.
Set of claims that support another claim.
What is a deductive argument?
An argument that is both sound and valid.
What is a Modus Ponens argument?
If A is true B is true and A is true. So B is true. (doesn’t have to make sense)
What is the key trait of a valid argument?
The premises are true and support the conclusion
What is a Modus Tollens argument?
If A is true, then B is true.
B is not true. So A is not true.
What is Hypothetical Syllogism?
If A and B are both true then C is true
What is Disjunctive Syllogism?
Either A or B is true, and which one is true defines C
What is the difference between validity and soundness.
Validity refers to argument structure and soundness to argument truth
What is a strong argument?
One where the premises are all true and the conclusion is believable
What is cogency in an argument?
Being strong and having all true premises
What is the motive fallacy?
Does it invalidate an opinion automatically?
“Of course you would say that you are a ____.”
No
What is the Cleve Backster story and what does it tell us?
Lie detector export who thought plants could talk to him. Being a lie detector expert does not make him a plant expert
What is Pascal’s wager and list its biggest flaw?
Its safest to believe in god because at worst you lose nothing and at best you go to heaven whereas if you don’t believe in God you can only lose.
Only accounts for 1 religion
What are weasel words and give an example?
Words that take meaning out of a conversation.
Words that sound reassuring without actually meaning anything.
What are Hooray words?
Give an example.
Words that tap into positive emotions without being specific.
Justice, peace, equality, democracy
What is begging the question?
Give an example.
Using your premise as your conclusion and vice verse.
Ex. The bible is true because it says it is
What is Ad Hominem?
Give an example.
Attacking character rather than making a well thought out argument. Very similar to “you can hardly talk”
Believing that someone who is an expert in something has opinion invalidated by having other character flaws.
What is a straw man?
Give an example.
Twisting someone’s argument to make it easier to refute.
Original: I think we should take care of immigrants
Twisted: So you want to bankrupt this country for random people who will abuse our kindness?
What is Shut Up- “You’re Boring”
Give an example.
Using the same argument repeatedly invalidates it?
Ex: Everytime we talk about Trump you talk about covffee find something new to talk about.
What is the fallacy of composition?
Give an example
Because a component has a trait the whole must have a trait.
Ex: emergent properties of water
What is the John Minto story?
Minto was against a tour in Africa and someone said that the fact that they were suffering did not validate the African’s opinions
Define Fallacy.
Faulty reasoning in an argument
