Reductio Ad Absurdum

Question 1

What is a Reductio Ad Absurdum

Answer 1

Trying to prove something by saying the opposite of it.

Uses the Form of Modus Tollens

If the Glass does not have water, Im not drinking the water
but I am drinking the water
—————————————
So the glass has water.

Question 2

What is Inference to the best explanation

Answer 2

They are called abductive arguments

Fool Modus Ponens is invalid but can be still true in the case if you have the best explanation for it.

For Example,

I have symtoms of coughing, headache and means I have a cold.

Even though the argument is not valid, the conclusion is made more probable by the premises.

Question 3

What is The Principle of Charity

Answer 3

Lack of clarity in the language we can result in misunderstandings

Question 4

What are Reconstructions

Answer 4

Hidden Implicit premises and missing words that we have to reconstruct it into a a proper argument

Question 5

What are Constructions

Answer 5

We have to use the 6 valid argument forms to create a new argument from a conclusion

Question 6

Two ways to refute arguments are

Answer 6

Use the same argument form as the opponent to prove that it is invalid using a truth table or venn diagram

A second way is to find at least a false premise by using fallacies