Propositions And Arguments

Question 1

What is a proposition?

Answer 1

A proposition is roughly a statement, defined in terms of its truth-conditions

Question 2

In what situation are two statements said to express the same proposition?

Answer 2

When they have the same truth conditions e.g. ‘I am hungry’ (said before lunch) and ‘I was hungry’ (said after lunch)

Question 3

What is an analytic proposition?

Answer 3

It is true (or false) in virtue of the meaning of its terms e.g. ‘all bachelors are unmarried’

Question 4

What is a synthetic proposition?

Answer 4

It is true or false in virtue of facts about the world e.g. ‘all bachelors are unhappy’

Question 5

What does an argument consist of?

Answer 5

Two or more propositions (taken for granted), both premises and a conclusion (argued for)

Question 6

What does an explanation consist of?

Answer 6

Explans (the explanation) and the explanandum (the thing being explained)

Question 7

What is a valid argument?

Answer 7

One in which the conclusion follows from the premises, regardless of if the premises are true

Question 8

What is a sound argument?

Answer 8

One that is valid and has true premises, and hence a true conclusion

Question 9

What is a cogent argument?

Answer 9

This is a matter of rhetoric, being one that is both valid and sound and also evidently true and convincing