Exam 2 Flashcards
Definition
A rule of paraphrase intended to explain meaning.
Lexical Definition
Explaining current usage (objective)
Stipulative Definition
Specifying your own usage (specifies how you’re going to use the term) (subjective) (device for abbreviating)
Clarifying Definiton
Stipulates a clearer meaning for a vague term (more precise for the subject)
Recursive Definition
One that first specifies some things that the term applies to and then specifies that if the term applies to certain things, then it also applies to certain other things
Logical Positivism
“How could the truth or falsity of the statement in principle be discovered by conceivable observable tests?”
Pragmatism
“What conceivable practical difference to someone could the truth or falsity of the statement make?”
Analytic
The denial of the claim is self-contradictory. Or the claim is included in the meaning of the subject term.
Synthetic
Claim is neither analytically true, nor self-contradictory. It makes a coherent claim that goes beyond the meaning of the terms.
A Priori
Claims provable apart from sense experience (rational)
A Posteriori
Claims that need sense experience to demonstrate their truthfulness or falsity
Circularity
Presumes the truth of what is to be proved. Uses a premise to prove a conclusion - and then uses that conclusion to prove the premise.
Ambiguous
Changes the meaning of a term or phrase within the argument.
Appeal to Emotion
Stir up feelings instead of arguing in a logical manner.
Beside the Point
Argues for a conclusion irrelevant to the issue at hand. (when the information within an argument does not actually support its conclusion)
Straw Man
Misrepresents an opponent’s views.
Appeal to Crowd
Most people believe A, therefore A is true
Opposition
Our opponents believe A, therefore A is false
Genetic
We can explain why you believe A, therefore A is false
Appeal to Ignorance
No one has proved A, therefore A is false OR No one has disproved A, therefore A is true
Post Hoc/False Cause
A happened after B. therefore A was caused by B
Part Whole
This is F, therefore every part of this is F OR Every part of this is F, therefore this is F
Appeal to Authority
X holds A is true, therefore A is true
Ad Hominem
X holds A to be true, X is bad, X isn’t fully reasonable/trusted in holding A (Changing the topic by attacking the character of a person, rather than addressing the topic)
Pro Con
The reasons in favor of A are…therefore A is good. The reasons against A are…therefore A is bad (only lists the pros or cons of a position)
Black and White
Oversimplifies by assuming that one or another of two extreme cases must be true
False Stereotype
Assume that the members of a certain group are more alike than they actually are
Appeal to Force
Use threats or intimidation to get a conclusion accepted
Complex Question
Question that assumes the truth of something false or doubtful
Self-Contradictory
The claim is internally inconsistent/self-refuting.
