Critical Reasoning: Language, Meaning, and Argument Style (Vocabulary)

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture on language, meaning, and argument evaluation.

Emotive meaning

The aspect of language that conveys emotions or attitudes and can influence how an argument is received, separate from its factual content.

Cognitive meaning

The informational content of a statement—its factual or evidence-bearing content—distinct from emotional impact.

Emotive language

Language that expresses or evokes emotion rather than neutrally stating facts; can sway judgment without providing evidence.

Value claim

A claim about what is good, bad, right, wrong, better or worse that is part of cognitive meaning and typically requires support.

Vagueness

A property of terms that allows borderline cases and a continuum of interpretations, lacking precise boundaries.

Ambiguity

A property where a term has more than one clear meaning within a context, making interpretation uncertain.

Factual dispute

A disagreement about what actually happened or what is true about facts.

Verbal dispute

A disagreement about the meaning of terms or language rather than about facts.

Inductive strength

The degree to which premises support the conclusion in an inductive argument—probable, not guaranteed.

Deductive validity

A relationship where if the premises are true, the conclusion must be true; guarantees are logical necessity.

Inductive indicator language

Words or phrases that signal an inductive claim (e.g., “It probably follows that…”).

Deductive indicator language

Words or phrases that signal a deductive claim (e.g., “It necessarily follows that…”).

Special indicator words

Specific terms that signal the inferential relationship between premises and conclusion.

Inferential claim

The claim about how strongly the premises support the conclusion (the strength of the inference).

Premises

Statements that provide support for the conclusion of an argument.

Conclusion

The claim that an argument attempts to establish or support.

Emotive terminology

Descriptive words with strong emotional charge (e.g., “cruel,” “monstrous”) used to influence attitudes.

Steamroller effect (emotive language)

The tendency of emotive language to overwhelm counterarguments by compelling assent without scrutiny.

Emotive clothing

The idea that emotive language disguises a value claim as neutral information, giving psychological momentum to the claim.

Hidden value claim

A value claim embedded in emotive language that demands supporting reasons, even if not stated outright.

Diagramming method

A method to map out basic argument patterns (vertical, horizontal, conjoint premises, multiple conclusions) to analyze structure.

Counterexample Method

A technique for proving invalidity by providing a counterexample to the argument’s form.

Categorical syllogism

A deductive argument form with linked categorical statements; an example of a clearly deductive structure.

It probably follows that…

Inductive indicator phrase signaling probable rather than certain conclusions.

It necessarily follows that…

Deductive indicator phrase signaling a conclusion that must be true if premises are true.

Absolute support

Premises that provide unconditional support for the conclusion, indicating a deductive argument.

Probable support

Premises that provide support to the conclusion but do not guarantee it, indicating an inductive argument.

Disentangling cognitive and emotive meaning

Separating factual content from emotional language to evaluate an argument properly.