Lecture 2

Question 1

what is a Categorical Syllogism

Answer 1

The major premise is a conditional statement such as ‘If P, then Q

Question 2

What are the four types of conditional arguments that can be represented by a syllogism

Answer 2

Arguments that affirm the antecedent,
Arguments that deny the antecedent,
Arguments that affirm the consequence ,
and Arguments that deny the consequence

Question 3

What are the two conditional arguments that can be represented by a syllogism are valid

Answer 3

○ Arguments that affirm the antecedent and Arguments that deny the consequent

Question 4

There is an asymmetry in the logical claims that can be made on the basis of confirming and disconfirming cases ______

Answer 4

When an implication of our theory is confirmed the most we can say is that the theory may be correct

When an implication of our theory is disconfirmed, we are compelled to conclude that our theory is wrong

Question 5

Deductive learning _____

Answer 5

Formulates expectations based on a theory and then finds observation

Question 6

Inductive learning

Answer 6

Starts with observations, finds patterns that can be used to generate explanations

Question 7

why can inductive learning be problematic

Answer 7

Induction is problematic because it relies on affirming the consequent

the theory is never exposed to potential falsification

Question 8

Comparative method is

Answer 8

A method where one collects observations of the world and use them to develop general laws or theories about why certain political phenomena occur

Question 9

Necessary condition is

Answer 9

A circumstance in whose absence the event in question can not occur

	 Y never happens unless X happens 
		If Y then X, or if no X then no Y

Question 10

A Sufficient condition is

Answer 10

A circumstance in whose presence the event in question must occur
§ Y always happens if X happens
§ If X, then Y, or if no Y, Then no X

Question 11

Comparative method is

Answer 11

The systematic search for necessary, sufficient and necessary and sufficient conditions

Question 12

What 2 comparative methods did Mill purpose

Answer 12

Method of agreement
When the cases agree on the phenomenon to be explained

Methods of difference
When the cases differ on the phenomenon to be explained

Question 13

what are the criticisms of Mill

Answer 13

○ Several special assumptions must be met in order to draw valid inferences

Causal process must be deterministic

There can only be one cause

All the potential causes have been identified

A major problem is that the comparative method doesn’t actually tell us when these assumptions are met