Whats philosophy/how do we do philosophy

Question 1

What is soundness

Answer 1

An argument that is valid and has true premises is a sound argument

Question 2

When is an argument formally valid

Answer 2

If premises are true then conclusion must be true

Question 2

What is formal logic

Answer 2

Formal logic is the study of formally valid arguments

Question 3

What is a circular argument + example

Answer 3

A circular argument is when a conclusion is one of their premises. Someone who didn’t already believe conclusion is not going to accept it as a premise.

L: God exists.
Therefore, God exists.

M: God does not exist.
Therefore, God does not exist.

Both valid. One of them is sound. Neither of them are very good. Why?

Question 4

What should good valid arguments be

Answer 4

good valid arguments must be sound and not beg the question.

Question 4

Give an example of non demonstrative argument

Answer 4

Non-demonstrative arguments reach a conclusion based on probability rather than certainty. These arguments don’t provide guaranteed proof but instead suggest what is likely true based on the given evidence.

R: Despite years of looking, no one has ever seen a unicorn.
Therefore, unicorns do not exist.

T: It’s normally wrong to kill a person.
The bartender is a person.
Therefore, it would be wrong to kill the bartender.

Question 5

Explain Abductive arguments or inference to the best explanation

Answer 5

Abductive arguments, or inferences to the best explanation, start with observations and seek the most likely, simplest explanation for those observations. It’s like when you wake up to find the ground wet outside; you infer it probably rained last night because that’s the most plausible reason. It’s not guaranteed to be true, but it’s the best guess given the evidence.

Question 5

What is an inductive argument

Answer 5

: takes as premises a series of observations that exhibit a pattern, and then conclude that the pattern holds a general rule.

Question 6

What kind of argument is commonly found in the natural sciences

Answer 6

abductive arguments

Question 7

When is an argument valid

Answer 7

An argument is valid if and only if it is impossible for the premises to be true and the conclusion to be false

Question 8

What is an argument that is valid and has true premises

Answer 8

sound argument

Question 9

What is an argument

Answer 9

Sequence of statements.
Last claim in the sequence is the conclusion. The conclusion is what the argument seeks to establish/support

Question 10

What are premises

Answer 10

Premises are statements asserted without proof in the context of the present argument (but which may be supported elsewhere).