Sophistry and Philsophy

Sophistry

A method of argument that is deceptive or misleading, often used by sophists to win debates rather than seek truth.

Philosophy

The love of wisdom; a reasoned investigation of life’s most important questions.

Metaphysics

The study of the nature of reality, beyond the physical realm.

Epistemology

The theory of knowledge; the study of the nature of knowledge and belief.

Moral Philosophy

The area of philosophy concerned with the nature of morality and ethical questions.

Political Philosophy

The study of the best ways to structure and govern society.

Deductive Argument

An argument where if the premises are true, the conclusion must also be true.

What is Modus Ponens? (Deductive Argument)

If a conditional argument is true, then its consequent is also true. If P, then Q, and P happens, therefore Q.

What is Modus Tollens? (Deductive Argument)

Denying the consequent. If P, then Q. And not Q, therefore not P. So if Q does not occur then it would make sense that P did not either.

Soundness

A property of a deductive argument that is valid and has true premises.

Inductive Argument

An argument in which the premises support the conclusion but do not guarantee it.

What is the inductive reasoning method of inference to the best explanation?

When something happens or a fact exists but you don’t know how it occurs. An event X happened, the possibilities of X are A, B, or C, but A makes the most sense, so A is probably the explanation of X.

What is the inductive reasoning method of arguing from analogy?

If something has almost all the same properties as another thing, it probably has that property as well.

Fallacy

A mistaken belief or error in reasoning that can lead to invalid arguments.

Fallacy of Composition

Assuming that what is true for parts is also true for the whole.

Fallacy of Equivocation

Using a key term ambiguously within an argument, leading to a misleading conclusion.

What is a Straw Person fallacy?

Misinterpreting an argument to the extreme so it is easier to refute.

What is the Appeal to Popularity fallacy?

The belief that because many people believe in something, it must be true.

What is the Illicit Appeal to Authority fallacy?

When people appeal to authorities who are not experts on the issue.

What is Question Begging or Circular Fallacy?

The conclusion is seen as true and used to support the main argument. Circular arguement.

Appeal to Emotion fallacy

Emotions are used as the premise for the conclusion.

What is the Ad Hominem fallacy?

The act of criticizing someone’s character instead of their claim.

What is a false analogy?

Comparing items that are similar in irrelevant ways to draw incorrect conclusions.

Reductio ad Absurdum

A claim must be accepted because its rejection/opposite scenario would be absurd.

Logos

Logic or reason.

The Socratic Method

A practice of philosophy where an answer to a question is considered and then point out the implications and problems with their answer.