2: Argument Analysis Intro

What is a statement?

A declarative sentence that makes a claim that can be true or false.

What are the three main types of sentences?

• Declarative: Makes a statement.

• Interrogative: Asks a question.

• Imperative: Gives a command.

How can you test whether something is a statement?

Add "It is true that" before it. If the result is grammatical and makes a claim, it is a statement.

What is an argument in philosophy?

A set of statements in which premises provide reasons to support a conclusion.

What is a premise?

A statement that provides a reason or evidence supporting a conclusion.

What is a conclusion?

The claim that the premises are intended to support.

What are premise indicators?

Words or phrases that suggest a premise is being introduced, such as because, since, for, after all, and assuming that.

What are conclusion indicators?

Words or phrases that suggest a conclusion is being introduced, such as therefore, thus, so, hence, and consequently.

What is the standard format of an argument?

Listing each premise separately, followed by the conclusion.

• P1: All mammals are warm-blooded.

• P2: Dogs are mammals.

• C: Therefore, dogs are warm-blooded.

What is a valid argument?

An argument in which it is logically impossible for all the premises to be true and the conclusion false at the same time.

What is an invalid argument?

An argument in which it is logically possible for all the premises to be true while the conclusion is false.

What is an invalidating counterexample?

logically possible situation in which all the premises are true and the conclusion is false.

What is a sound argument?

An argument that is valid and has all true premises.

What two conditions must an argument meet to be sound?

1. It must be valid.

2. All its premises must be true.

What is an unsound argument?

An argument that is invalid, has at least one false premise, or both.