Prep for HONOR 101 Exam 3

Question 1

The branch of deductive reasoning that deals with logical relationships among statements.

Answer 1

Propositional logic

Question 2

An assertion that something is or is not the case.

Answer 2

Statement

Question 3

A statement containing no other statements as constituents. Ex: I have a lot of homework.

Answer 3

simple statement

Question 4

A statement composed of at least two simple statements.

Answer 4

Compound statement

Question 5

A way to confirm the validity of a complex argument by deducing its conclusion using simple, valid argument forms.

Answer 5

Method of proof

Question 6

Two simple statements joined by a connective to form a compound statement. Each of the component statements is called a conjunct. p&q ex: Alice rode her bike, and John walked.

Answer 6

Conjunction

Question 7

Asserting that either p or q is true and that even if one of the statements is false, the whole argument is still true. pvq ex: Either Alice rode her bike, or John walked.

Answer 7

Disjunction

Question 8

Denial of a statement, which we indicate with the word “not” or a term that means the same thing. ~p ex: Alice did not ride her bike.

Answer 8

Negation

Question 9

The basic form of a condition is “if… then…” p → q ex: If Alice rode her bike, then John walked.

Answer 9

Conditional

Question 10

Reasoning from premises about individual members of a group to conclusions about the group as a whole. Ex: X percent of the observed members of group A have property P. Therefore, X percent of all members of group A probably have property P.

Answer 10

Enumerative induction

Question 11

The whole collection of individuals under study. Ex: All students

Answer 11

Target group (target population)

Question 12

The observed members of the target group. Ex: All students in Selnick’s class

Answer 12

Sample (sample member)

Question 13

The property, or characteristic, that is of interest in the target group. Ex: Examining the scores of students at CSUF compared to other colleges

Answer 13

relevant property (property in question)

Question 14

The fallacy of drawing a conclusion about a target group based on an inadequate sample size.

Answer 14

Hasty generalization

Question 15

Selecting a sample to ensure every member of the target group has an equal chance of selection

Answer 15

Random sampling

Question 16

A non-random sample in which subjects choose themselves

Answer 16

self-selecting sample

Question 17

The variation between the values derived from a sample and the true values of the whole target group.

Answer 17

Margin of error

Question 18

The probability that the sample will accurately represent the target group within the margin of error.

Answer 18

Confidence level

Question 19

Reasoning that because two or more things are similar in several respects, they are likely similar in some further respect.

Answer 19

argument by analogy

Question 20

An inductive argument made to support a causal claim, a statement about the causes of things.

Answer 20

causal arguments

Question 21

If two or more occurrences of a phenomenon have only one relevant common factor, that factor is the cause.

Answer 21

Method of agreement

Question 22

The relevant factor present when a phenomenon occurs, and absent when the phenomenon does not, is the cause.

Answer 22

method of difference

Question 23

The cause is isolated by identifying the relevant factors common to occurrences of the phenomenon and discarding any of these that are present when there are no occurrences.

Answer 23

Joint method of agreement and difference

Question 24

When two events are correlated they are probably causally related.

Answer 24

Method of concomitant variation

Question 25

If a variety of causes have been established to produce a variety of effects, and we have matched up all the causes, except one, with all the effects, except one, then the remaining effect can be attributed to the remaining cause.

Answer 25

method of residues

Question 26

Reasoning that just because B followed A, A must have caused B.

Answer 26

Post hoc fallacy

Question 27

The occurrence of an event is one that guarantees that the event occurs.

Answer 27

Sufficient condition

Question 28

The occurrence of an event is one without which the event cannot occur.

Answer 28

necessary condition

Question 29

When a theory is free of contradictions.

Answer 29

Internal consistency

Question 30

When a theory fully accounts for the phenomenon to be explained.

Answer 30

External consistency

Question 31

Whether there is some way to determine if a theory is true.

Answer 31

Testability

Question 32

The number of novel predictions made.

Answer 32

Fruitfulness

Question 33

The amount of diverse phenomena explained.

Answer 33

Scope

Question 34

The number of assumptions made.

Answer 34

simplicity

Question 35

How well a theory fits with existing knowledge.

Answer 35

Conservatism

Question 36

a hypothesis that cannot be verified independently of the phenomenon it’s supposed to explain. Makes theories less simple and therefore less credible.

Answer 36

Ad hoc hypotheses

Question 37

A way of searching for truth through the formulation, testing, and evaluation of theories.

Answer 37

Science

Question 38

An observational consequence that would follow if a given hypothesis were true. Used when a hypothesis cannot be tested directly.

Answer 38

test implication

Question 39

An assertion that an action is right or wrong or that something (person, motive) is good or bad.

Answer 39

Moral statement

Question 40

A general explanation of what makes an action right or what makes a person or motive good.

Answer 40

Moral theory

Question 41

Moral judgments considered credible after careful reflection.

Answer 41

Considered moral theories

Question 42

Testing a moral premise by trying to think of instances in which it seems not to hold.

Answer 42

Counterexample method

Question 43

Right actions are those that maximize overall happiness, everyone considered. States that the consequences of actions are what matter, but is inconsistent with our considered moral judgments involving rights.

Answer 43

Traditional utilitarianism

Question 44

Morality is about conforming our actions to universal moral rules derived from reason. Actions are right only if they are consistent with such rules, and people deserve praise for right actions only if they act solely from a sense of duty. Critics say that absolute moral rules are inconsistent with our considered moral judgments.

Answer 44

Kantian ethics

Question 45

A philosophy of life; a set of beliefs and theories that help make sense of a wide range of issues in life. When good, they consist of good theories and are internally consistent.

Answer 45

Worldview