Problem 2 Flashcards
Logic
Refers to the organized body of knowledge that evaluates arguments
–> by this we develop a system of methods + principles we use as criteria to evaluate the arguments of others
Argument
Refers to a group of statements
Statement
Refers to a sentence that is either true or false
Truth values
Refer to the truth or falsity of a statement
General structure of an argument
- /Opening statement
- -> introduce topic, so not part of argument - Statement
- -> premise - Last Statement
- -> conclusion
Inference
Refers to the reasoning process expressed by an argument
Proposition
Meaning/ information content of a statement
Syllogistic logic
Suggests that arguments are evaluated as good or bad depending on how the terms are arranged in the argument
Modal logic
Involves concepts as
a) possibility
b) necessity
c) belief or doubt
How can you distinguish a passage containing an argument from one that is not ?
A passage containing an argument tries to prove something
Which 2 conditions must be fulfilled for a passage to prove something ?
Factual + inferential claim
Factual claim
Claiming to present evidence/reason
Inferential claim
Claiming that the evidence/ reason supports the conclusion
–> objective + grounded in language + structure
THUS: Explicit or implicit
Simple no inferential passages
Non arguments
Lack a claim that anything is being proved
ex.: warning, piece of advice
Expository passages (Non argument)
Discourse that begins with a topic sentence followed by one or more sentences that develop the topic sentence
e.g.: research writing
Explanation
Non argument
Refers to an expression that tries to shed light on something
What is a conditional statement ?
Is a conditional statement an argument ?
- If (antecedent) … then (consequent)
- No, a single conditional statement is no argument
- -> may serve as either premise or conclusion of an argument
Deductive argument
Refers to an argument that claims that it is impossible for the conclusion to be false, given that the premises are true
–> based on facts/necessary reasoning
Inductive argument
Refers to an argument that claims that it is improbable that the conclusion is false given that the premises are true
–> based on opinions/probabilistic reasoning
Valid deductive argument
Suggests that the conclusion true given that the premises are true
e.g.: invalid = opposite
Sound argument
Refers to a deductive argument that is valid + has all true premises
= good argument
e.g.: unsound argument = invalid + false premises
When one has a good argument and adds an
unsound argument will the argument still be sound ?
Yes, because the premise should not be considered as part of the argument
Strong inductive argument
Suggests that it is improbable that the conclusion is false given that the premises are true
Weak inductive argument
Refers to an argument in which the conclusion does not follow probably from the premises even though it is claimed to
What is the difference between strong inductive + valid deductive arguments ?
- If the conclusion of deductive arguments is true independently of the premises, then the argument is still considered valid
- If the conclusion of an inductive argument is probably true independently of the premises, then the argument is weak
How do you know if an
inductive argument is strong ?
If it is more than 50% probable
Cogent argument
Refers to an inductive argument that is strong + has all true premises
e.g.: uncogent= opposite
Counterexample method
Isolates the form of an argument, then constructs a substation instance having true premises + false conclusion
–> proves the invalidity of any invalid argument but can’t prove validity
Definiendum
Refers to the word/group of words that is defined
Definiens
Refers to the word/group of words that does the defining
Name the 4 different Deductive argument forms.
- Argument based on mathematics
- Argument from definition
- Hypothetical syllogism
- -> if .. then - Disjunctive syllogism
- -> either .. or
Name the 6 different Induction argument forms.
- Prediction
- Argument from analogy
- -> similarity of things - Generalization
- -> sample is used to make claim about whole group - Argument from authority
- -> expert as reference - Argument based on signs
- Causal inference
Name the 2 different types of cognitive meaning.
- Intensional meaning/Connotation
- -> qualities, attributes of the term
ex.: cats = furry, 4-legged, pet
- Extensional meaning/Denotation
- -> class members of the term
ex.: cats = all cats in the world
Stipulation definition
Assigning a meaning to a word for the first time
Lexical defintion
Reporting the meaning that a word already has in a language
Precising definition
Reducing the vagueness of a word
Theoretical defintion
Assigning a meaning to a word by suggesting a theory that gives a certain characterization to the entities that the term denotes
Persuasive defintion
Engendering a favorable attitude toward what is denoted by the definiendum
–> assigning an emotionally charged meaning to a word
ex.: abortion means the ruthless murdering of innocent human beings
Multilayered arguments
Refer to arguments in which reasons or objects have drawn out new reasons or objections
ex.: rebuttal, refutation
Rebuttal
When a reason is followed by an objection within an argument
a) Counterargument to a premise
b) Counterargument to a conclusion
Counterargument to a premise
Rebuttal
Showing that the reasons contention is false
Counterargument to a conclusion
Rebuttal
Showing that the contention doesn’t provide enough proof to support the conclusion
Refutation
If an objection is followed by an objection within an argument
a) Refutation to the premise
b) Refutation to a conclusion
