Week 1

Question 1

What does “Philosophy” originate from in Greek?

Answer 1

“Love of wisdom.”

Question 2

Name two early Western philosophers mentioned in the text.

Answer 2

Thales and Heraclitus.

Question 3

What distinguishes the philosophical method from the scientific method in terms of claims?

Answer 3

Scientists base conclusions on empirical observations, while philosophers use rational arguments.

Question 4

What three main categories do philosophical questions fall under?

Answer 4

What exists?
What do we know?
What should we do?

Question 5

What is the definition of a “valid” deductive argument?

Answer 5

If the premises were true, then the conclusion must be.

Question 6

How does one evaluate the validity of a deductive argument?

Answer 6

Determine if you can imagine a scenario where the premises are true and the conclusion is false. If yes, it’s invalid.

Question 7

What are the four common types of inductive arguments explored in the text?

Answer 7

Inductive Generalization
Argument from Analogy
Inference to the Best Explanation (or Abduction)
Reductio ad Absurdum

Question 8

hat is the “Begging the Question” fallacy?

Answer 8

It involves assuming a premise to be true that you are trying to prove.

Question 9

What is an “Ad Hominem” argument?

Answer 9

Rejecting a position based on the person presenting the argument rather than the argument’s merits.

Question 10

What is the main difference between a deductive and inductive argument?

Answer 10

Deductive arguments are binary in strength (either valid or invalid). In contrast, inductive arguments have varying degrees of strength, with no clear boundary between strong and weak.

Question 11

What is the philosophical view of Socrates regarding an examined life?

Answer 11

“The unexamined life is not worth living.”

Question 12

In philosophy, what is the term for an argument that uses statements to make a claim more plausible?

Answer 12

An argument.

Question 13

Which philosopher claimed “You cannot step into the same river twice”?

Answer 13

Heraclitus.

Question 14

What are the two main categories of philosophical arguments?

Answer 14

Deductive and Inductive.

Question 15

What does it mean for an argument to be “sound”?

Answer 15

The argument is valid, and all its premises are true.

Question 16

What is an “Appeal to Ignorance” fallacy?

Answer 16

Assuming something is true because it hasn’t been proven false, or vice versa.

Question 17

What is a “Straw Man” fallacy?

Answer 17

Misrepresenting or exaggerating an opponent’s argument to make it easier to attack.

Question 18

What does it mean when an argument commits the “Slippery Slope” fallacy?

Answer 18

It suggests that taking a particular step will lead to a chain of events, often with undesirable outcomes, without providing sufficient evidence for that sequence.

Question 19

How is a “Reductio ad Absurdum” argument structured?

Answer 19

It involves assuming the opposite of what you’re trying to prove, then showing that this assumption leads to an absurdity or contradiction.

Question 20

What is the purpose of the “Inference to the Best Explanation” argument?

Answer 20

To identify which explanation best accounts for the available evidence.

Question 21

In philosophy, what is the difference between a statement and an argument?

Answer 21

A statement asserts something to be the case, whereas an argument provides reasons or evidence in support of a statement.

Question 22

Define “Empirical Observations.”

Answer 22

Observations made through direct sensory experience, typically in the context of systematic data collection.

Question 23

What role did Thales play in early Western philosophy?

Answer 23

He was one of the first to reject mythological explanations in favor of rational explanations, setting a precedent for future philosophical inquiry.

Question 24

What distinguishes a “strong” inductive argument from a “weak” one?

Answer 24

In a strong inductive argument, if the premises are true, then the conclusion is likely true. In a weak inductive argument, even if the premises are true, the conclusion is still unlikely.