Exam 2 Flashcards
(39 cards)
Arguments
A set of statements where some of the statements are intended to support another
(shows THAT some statement is true)
Unsupported Assertions
A statement that is presented as a truth but without any evidence or support for it
Report
A set of statements intended to provide information about a situation, topic, or event
(provides information)
Illustration
A statement together with an explanatory or clarifying example
(shows WHAT a statement means)
Explanation
Provides a reason for the occurrence of some phenomenon
(shows WHY a statement is true)
Conditional Statement
An if, then statement
Well-Crafted Argument
An argument that is stated in such a way that its important logical features are explicit
Excess Verbiage
A word or statement that adds nothing to the argument
Discount
An acknowledgement of a fact or possibility that might be thought to render the argument invalid, weak, unsound or uncogent
Repetition
A restatement of a premise or conclusion, perhaps with slightly altering wording
Assurance
A statement, word, or phrase that indicates that the author is confident of a premise or inference
Hedge
A statement, word, or phrase that indicates that the author is uncertain about a premise or inference
Sub-Conclusion
A claim that looks like a conclusion because it is supported by one or more statements but isn’t the main conclusion
Implicit Premise
A premise that is not mentioned, but is assumed or implied by the context of the argument
Constructing a Well-Crafted Argument
- Identify the premises and the conclusion
- Eliminate excess verbiage
- Employ uniform language
- Be fair and charitable in interpreting an argument
- Do not confuse sub conclusions with (final) conclusions
- Make explicit obliviously implicit premises in a charitable way
What does it mean for premises to provide independent support for a conclusion (or sub-conclusion)?
Each premise provides independent support, so if one premise is removed, the support provided by the other premises do not decrease
What does it mean for premises to provide interdependent support for a conclusion (or subconclusion)?
The premises work together as a logical unit, so if one is removed, the support of the others is decreased
Categorical Statement
A statement that related two classes or categories
Four Standard Forms (categorical statements)
A: All S are P
E: No S are P
I: Some S are P
O: Some S are not P
A form
All S are P
universal affirmative
E form
No S are P
universal negative
I form
Some S are P
particular affirmative
O form
Some S are not P
particular negative
Subject Term
The first noun or noun phrase that appears in a categorical statement when it is put into standard form