Intro To Logic & Argumentation Flashcards
Logic
The study of the methods and principles systematically used to distinguish correct reasoning from incorrect reasoning.
Is logic dependent on subject matter?
No! Logic is not interested in subject matter or topics. Logic is about the form, quality, and structure of arguments.
Propositions
A proposition is the meaning of a declarative sentence. These are the building blocks of arguments.
Inference
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.
Deductive Arguments
Makes the claim that its conclusion is supported by its premise conclusively.
Truth
A single statement that serves as a premise in an argument. Truth is something that can be said of propositions but not of arguments.
Validity
Refers to the relationship between the premises of an argument and its conclusion.
Soundness
This refers to the truth of propositions and the validity of the argument.
Inductive Argument
An argument whose conclusion is claimed to follow from its premises only probabilistically.
Strong Argument
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.
Cogency
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.
Logical Fallacies
These are arguments which are not sound but appear to be.
Fallacies of Ambiguity
These rely on shifts of meaning and/or obscurity of words and phrases from premise to conclusion.
Fallacies of Presumption
These arise from reliance on propositions which are assumed to be true, but are in fact false or dubious.
Fallacies of Relevance
These rely on premises that may seem to be relevant to the conclusion, but are ultimately just distractions.
Accent
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.
Equivocation
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.
Amphiboly
A fallacy of syntax taking place when one of the statements in an argument has more than one plausible meaning.
Composition
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.
Division
This fallacy is committed when one reasons mistakenly from the attribute of a whole to the attributes of one of its parts.
Sweeping generalization
Assuming what is true under certain circumstances is true always.
Hasty Generalization
Assuming that an individual case or small sample size is a valid basis that warrants a general conclusion.
Bifurcation
This fallacy omits consideration of all reasonable alternatives and creates what superficially looks like a dilemma with mutually exclusive options.
Begging the Question
When one assumes in the premise of an argument the truth of that which one seeks to establish in the conclusion.
Complex Question
When a question is asked in some way as to presuppose the truth of some assumption buried in that question.
False Analogy
When two things are compared and conclusions regarding the second are drawn on the basis of the first without a proper logical connection.
Questionable Cause
When one blunders in reasoning that is based upon casual relations.
Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc
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.
Cum Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc
Confusing correlation with causation. Takes place when we reach a casual conclusion merely from the fact that we have identified a correlation.
Slippery Slope
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.
Genetic Fallacy (ad hominem)
Condemning the source of the argument instead of concentrating on the argument itself.
Abusive Ad Hominem
When the attacks are being made not at the arguments but at the person delivering the arguments.
Circumstantial Ad Hominem
This form of Ad Hominem is used indirectly against some group of persons, suggesting they hold their views mainly because of their circumstances.
Tu Quoque
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.
Guilt by association
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.
Poisoning the Well
Using an untestable claim to attempt to trap the person against whom one is arguing a position from which there is no possible escape.
Appeal to Ignorance
When it is argued that a proposition is true on the ground that it has not been proved false or vis versa
Argument from Personal Incredulity
Arguing that one’s inability to explain something gives one license to arbitrarily imagine the answer.
God of the Gaps
Assumes an act of God as the explanation, or some other unknown phenomenon.
Appeal to Inappropriate Authority
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.
Appeal to Emotion
When carful reasoning is replaced with devices calculated to elicit enthusiasm and emotional support for the conclusion.
Appeal to consequences
When we confuse and conflate the two concepts: the good and the true/or the bad and the false.
Appeal to tradition
This fallacy argues that a practice or way of thinking is right because it is older/traditional
Naturalistic Fallacy
Something is claimed to be good/right simply because it is natural.
Special Pleading
This fallacy occurs when one makes themselves a special exception without justification.
Straw Man
This fallacy is based on the misrepresentation of an opponents viewpoint.
Appeal to popularity
This fallacy relies on the uncritical acceptance of others opinion simply because others believe it.
