Section 1+2 FLASHCARDS

What is a premises?

A statement that provides support for the conclusion

Deductive Certainty

100%

Inductive Certainty

Probable

What does “Valid” mean?

means something is “true and reliable”! So, if you have a good reason (the premises), you can trust that the answer (the conclusion) will be correct.

What is soundness in logic?

Is 100% correct. It is both valid and has all true premises

What is cogency in inductive reasoning?


Think of it like a solid, reliable argument. To be cogent, an argument needs two things

1 strength

2 truth

Strong and has premises that are likely true. However, the conclusion is plausible but not guaranteed.

What makes an argument valid?

is one where if the premises are true, the conclusion must also be true—no exceptions.

When is a statement considered true?

If it accurately reflects reality and false if it does not.

What does it mean for an argument to be valid?

if its conclusion logically follows from its premises, regardless of whether the premises are true or false.

What is the begging the question fallacy?

is a logical fallacy where the argument's conclusion is assumed in its premises. Instead of providing support, the argument circularly restates what it is trying to prove

What is the Ad Hominem fallacy?

is a logical fallacy where someone attacks the person making the argument, instead of addressing the argument itself.

What is the Red Herring fallacy?

is a logical fallacy where someone distracts from the original argument by introducing an irrelevant topic, leading the discussion off-course.

What is the Straw Man fallacy?

is a fallacy where someone misrepresents or distorts the opponent's argument to make it easier to attack, rather than addressing the actual argument.

What does truth mean in the context of propositions?

if it accurately represents what is the case in reality, and false if it does not.

What is a sound argument in deductive reasoning?

is valid and has true premises. If an argument is deductive but has an invalid structure or at least one false premise, it is unsound.

What is the meaning of strength in an inductive argument?

is one where the truth of the premises makes the conclusion probably true, but not guaranteed.

Formal fallacies involve

hint

a bad recipe. You could have all the right ingredients (the premises), but if the steps (structure) are wrong, the result (the conclusion) won’t make sense.

mistakes in argument structure (e.g., invalid logical forms).

Informal fallacies involve

mistakes in content (e.g., false assumptions, misleading reasoning).

What is the fallacy of Affirming the Consequent?

hint

bad reasoning

What it looks like:

If X, then Y.
Y is true.
Therefore, X is true.

The argument assumes that if the consequent is true, the antecedent must also be true, which is logically incorrect.

What is the fallacy of Denying the Antecedent?

Custom Hints

bad reasoning that trips you up

What it looks like:

If X, then Y.
X is false.
Therefore, Y is false.

The argument incorrectly assumes that if the antecedent is false, the consequent must also be false.

What is Modus Ponens?

Custom Hint
What it looks like:

If X, then Y.
X is true.
Therefore, Y is true.

is a valid argument form where, if the antecedent is true, the consequent must also be true.

What is Modus Tollens?

is a valid argument form where, if the consequent is false, the antecedent must also be false.

What is the Equivocation Fallacy?

occurs when a word or phrase is used with different meanings in an argument, creating confusion or invalid reasoning.