Philosophy Midterm Review Argumentation

What is a fallacy?

the use of invalid and faulty reasoning in the construction of an argument which can appear stronger

informal fallacy

an error in reasoning other than the improper logical form

valid fallacy

flaw in structure of a deductive argument

Argument def

group of propositions consisting of two reasons (premises) and a conclusion

proposition def

a judgement statement that is either true or false

conditional statement def

“if.. then..” judgement

antecedent

component of judgement right after “if”

consequent

component of judgement right after “then”

term def

“sign” of a concept

argument example

all koi are carp

this fish is a koi

therefore, Hanoko is a carp

good arguments

premises support conclusion

bad arguments

premises do not support conclusion

deductive argument

if premises are true, conclusion is true

(Universal —> particular conclusion)

inductive argument

if the premises are true, then conclusion is likely true

(particulars —> universal conclusion)

valid arg

deductive arg where its impossible for premises to be true and conclusion to be false

invalid arg

deductive arg where it is possible for premises to be true and conclusion to be false

sound arg

deductive arg that is valid and all premises are true

unsound arg

deductive arg that is either invalid, at least one false premise, or both

universal proposition

all or none subjects are ____

particular prop

some subjects are ____

A claim

All S are P

E claim

No S are P

I claim

Some S are P

O claim

Some S are not P

Which claims are affirm/neg

affirm = A and I

neg = E and O

3 terms of arguments

major = predicate of conclusion

middle = links premises

minor = subject of conclusion

Distribution of terms : A claim

subject

distribution of terms : E claim

both subject and predicate

distribution of terms : I claim

nothing

distribution of terms : O claim

predicate

distribution of terms acronym

Any Student Earning Bs Is Not On Probation

a claim = S

e claim = both

i claim = none

o claim = P

rules for validity

1 = three pairs of terms

2 = middle term is distributed at least once

3 = term distributed in conclusion, is also distributed in a premise

4 = no two neg premises

5 = if premise is neg, conclusion is neg

hypothetical syllogism

if A, then B

conditional statements must come with a second premise that either..

affirms A or denies B

if second premise does what, then it is a fallacy

denies A or affirms B

strong inductive arg

is it improbable that premises be true and conclusion be false

weak inductive arg

conclusion probably does not follow premises