Theology test

Logical consistency

Requires that all claims in the set are true at the same time

Logical inconsistencies

when not all claims in a set can be true at the same time

Contradictions

statements that simultaneously assert and deny that something is the case

Definiendum

the term which is clarified through a definition

Definiens

the sentence or phrase that is providing the clarification

Causal possibility

a possibility that does not violate the laws of nature

Logical possibility

a possibility that we can conceive of in our minds without contradiction

Argument

a reason for thinking that a belief is true

Premises

the reasons why we think that the conclusion is true

Conclusion

the claim the argument wants to establish

Standard form

clarifies the logical structure of an argument by listing all of the premises in numbered, sequential order and including a conclusion at the end

Deductive argument

an argument where the truth of the premises guarantees that the conclusion must be true

Inductive argument

an argument where its conclusions are established only to some degree of probability

Valid

if all the premises of the argument are true, then the conclusion must be true as well

Sound

if a valid argument’s premises are actually true

Strong Argument

have conclusions with a high degree of probability

Weak Argument

have conclusions with a low degree of probability

Cogent

if a strong argument’s premises are actually true

Ockham’s razor

the best explanation is the simplest one

Principle of conservatism

the best explanation is the one that fits best with the rest of my beliefs about the world