Intro To Logic & Argumentation

Question 1

Logic

Answer 1

The study of the methods and principles systematically used to distinguish correct reasoning from incorrect reasoning.

Question 2

Is logic dependent on subject matter?

Answer 2

No! Logic is not interested in subject matter or topics. Logic is about the form, quality, and structure of arguments.

Question 3

Propositions

Answer 3

A proposition is the meaning of a declarative sentence. These are the building blocks of arguments.

Question 4

Inference

Answer 4

This refers to the thought process by which one proposition is arrived at and affirmed on the basis of one or more other propositions accepted at the starting point of the process.

Question 5

Deductive Arguments

Answer 5

Makes the claim that its conclusion is supported by its premise conclusively.

Question 6

Truth

Answer 6

A single statement that serves as a premise in an argument. Truth is something that can be said of propositions but not of arguments.

Question 7

Validity

Answer 7

Refers to the relationship between the premises of an argument and its conclusion.

Question 8

Soundness

Answer 8

This refers to the truth of propositions and the validity of the argument.

Question 9

Inductive Argument

Answer 9

An argument whose conclusion is claimed to follow from its premises only probabilistically.

Question 10

Strong Argument

Answer 10

Simply tells us the logical inference from premises to conclusion is correct. The conclusion is likely true, however it is still possible for the conclusion to be false.

Question 11

Cogency

Answer 11

Refers to the relationship between the truth of propositions and the strength of an argument.
An argument is cogent when it is strong AND all the premises are true.

Question 12

Logical Fallacies

Answer 12

These are arguments which are not sound but appear to be.

Question 13

Fallacies of Ambiguity

Answer 13

These rely on shifts of meaning and/or obscurity of words and phrases from premise to conclusion.

Question 14

Fallacies of Presumption

Answer 14

These arise from reliance on propositions which are assumed to be true, but are in fact false or dubious.

Question 15

Fallacies of Relevance

Answer 15

These rely on premises that may seem to be relevant to the conclusion, but are ultimately just distractions.

Question 16

Accent

Answer 16

This fallacy occurs when a shift of meaning arises within an argument as a consequence of changes in the emphasis and tone given to its words or parts.

Question 17

Equivocation

Answer 17

A semantic fallacy occurring when the meaning of a word or phrase changes from one meaning in one part of the argument to a different meaning in another part.

Question 18

Amphiboly

Answer 18

A fallacy of syntax taking place when one of the statements in an argument has more than one plausible meaning.

Question 19

Composition

Answer 19

A fallacy committed when one reasons mistakenly from the attributes of an individual member of some collection to the attributes of the totality of that collection.

Question 20

Division

Answer 20

This fallacy is committed when one reasons mistakenly from the attribute of a whole to the attributes of one of its parts.

Question 21

Sweeping generalization

Answer 21

Assuming what is true under certain circumstances is true always.

Question 22

Hasty Generalization

Answer 22

Assuming that an individual case or small sample size is a valid basis that warrants a general conclusion.

Question 23

Bifurcation

Answer 23

This fallacy omits consideration of all reasonable alternatives and creates what superficially looks like a dilemma with mutually exclusive options.

Question 24

Begging the Question

Answer 24

When one assumes in the premise of an argument the truth of that which one seeks to establish in the conclusion.

Question 25

Complex Question

Answer 25

When a question is asked in some way as to presuppose the truth of some assumption buried in that question.

Question 26

False Analogy

Answer 26

When two things are compared and conclusions regarding the second are drawn on the basis of the first without a proper logical connection.

Question 27

Questionable Cause

Answer 27

When one blunders in reasoning that is based upon casual relations.

Question 28

Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc

Answer 28

Latin for ‘after something, therefore because of it.’ Erroneously assuming that just because one event precedes another in time, the first is the cause of the second.

Question 29

Cum Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc

Answer 29

Confusing correlation with causation. Takes place when we reach a casual conclusion merely from the fact that we have identified a correlation.

Question 30

Slippery Slope

Answer 30

This way of thinking asserts that one undesirable action will inevitably lead to a worse action, which will lead to a worse, and so on.

Question 31

Genetic Fallacy (ad hominem)

Answer 31

Condemning the source of the argument instead of concentrating on the argument itself.

Question 32

Abusive Ad Hominem

Answer 32

When the attacks are being made not at the arguments but at the person delivering the arguments.

Question 33

Circumstantial Ad Hominem

Answer 33

This form of Ad Hominem is used indirectly against some group of persons, suggesting they hold their views mainly because of their circumstances.

Question 34

Tu Quoque

Answer 34

Latin for ‘look who’s talking’. In this fallacy the person arguing the case is charged with being a hypocrite, but this is ultimately a distraction, even if true.

Question 35

Guilt by association

Answer 35

This is the mistaken attempt to discredit an idea or an argument simply based upon the fact that some group or person with a shady reputation or questionable credentials is associated with such an idea.

Question 36

Poisoning the Well

Answer 36

Using an untestable claim to attempt to trap the person against whom one is arguing a position from which there is no possible escape.

Question 37

Appeal to Ignorance

Answer 37

When it is argued that a proposition is true on the ground that it has not been proved false or vis versa

Question 38

Argument from Personal Incredulity

Answer 38

Arguing that one’s inability to explain something gives one license to arbitrarily imagine the answer.

Question 39

God of the Gaps

Answer 39

Assumes an act of God as the explanation, or some other unknown phenomenon.

Question 40

Appeal to Inappropriate Authority

Answer 40

When the premises of an argument appeal to the judgement of some party or parties having no legitimate claim to authority in the matter at hand.

Question 41

Appeal to Emotion

Answer 41

When carful reasoning is replaced with devices calculated to elicit enthusiasm and emotional support for the conclusion.

Question 42

Appeal to consequences

Answer 42

When we confuse and conflate the two concepts: the good and the true/or the bad and the false.

Question 43

Appeal to tradition

Answer 43

This fallacy argues that a practice or way of thinking is right because it is older/traditional

Question 44

Naturalistic Fallacy

Answer 44

Something is claimed to be good/right simply because it is natural.

Question 45

Special Pleading

Answer 45

This fallacy occurs when one makes themselves a special exception without justification.

Question 46

Straw Man

Answer 46

This fallacy is based on the misrepresentation of an opponents viewpoint.

Question 47

Appeal to popularity

Answer 47

This fallacy relies on the uncritical acceptance of others opinion simply because others believe it.