Unit 1: Terms and Definitions Flashcards
Define Logic
The science and art of reasoning well.
Define reasoning
Drawing proper conclusions from other information
Law of Excluded Middle
Any statement is either true or false.
Law of Identity
If a statement is true, then it is true.
Law of Noncontradiction
A statement cannot be both true and false.
Formal Logic
Operations of thinking, includes:
deduction (categorical and propositional logic)
induction
Informal Logic
Proper modes of reasoning, includes:
terms
statements
informal fallacies
Induction
Reasoning with probability
from examples or experience
to general rules
Deduction
Reasoning with certainty
from premises to conclusions
Syllogisms
A syllogism is a deductive argument with two premises and three terms
Term
expressed precisely in words
Definition
Gives the meaning of a term
Definitions show _________________.
relationships
Definitions remove _______________.
ambiguity
Lexical Definitions show ______________ and reduce ________________ and are found in a dictionary.
relationship
ambiguity
Definitions reduce _________________ and provides a precising definition.
vagueness
Definitions increase ________________.
vocabulary
What is a stipulative definition?
A definition for
a new word that is invented
or an existing word that is applied in a new way
Definitions can explain concepts ___________.
theoretically
(accepting a theory about the term being defined)
Definitions can influence ____________.
attitudes
(persuasive definitions persuade the listener one way or another toward the term being defined)
Define Genus
A term that is
more general,
broad,
or abstract
than the original term and includes it
Define Species
A term that is
more specific,
narrow,
or concrete
than the original term and is included by it.
What does it mean to increase extension of a term?
Greater extension
means
more members
more general
What does it mean to increase intension of a term?
Greater intention
means
more concreteness
less members
What are the 3 Methods of Defining a term?
- synonyms - using similar words
- example
- genus and difference - (example: Backpack; genus - bag, difference - carried on the back)
What are the 6 Rules for defining by Genus and Difference?
- State essential attributes
- Not circular
- Not too broad or narrow
- Not unclear or figurative
- Stated positively, if possible
- Same part of speech as the term