Introduction to Logic, Epistemology, and Theories of Truth

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering fundamental concepts in logic (necessary and sufficient conditions, fallacies) and epistemology (factivity, objective vs. relative truth, and historical philosophical perspectives).

Necessary Condition

A condition ($A$) for something else ($B$) where $B$ cannot occur, be true, exist, or obtain without $A$ occurring, being true, or existing.

Sufficient Condition

A condition ($A$) for something else ($B$) where the occurrence, truth, or existence of $A$ ensures the occurrence, truth, or existence of $B$.

Converse Relationship

The traditional philosophical view holding that if $A$ is necessary for $B$, it is logically equivalent to saying $B$ is sufficient for $A$.

Fallacy

In logic and philosophy, an error or mistake in reasoning, which is distinct from a statement merely being false.

Factivity

The essential feature of knowing that links a subject to a truth, meaning that one can only know facts or true propositions.

Factive Construction

A sentence or part of a sentence using terms like know, realize, see, remember, or prove that inherently links a subject to a true proposition.

Nonfactive Verbs

Verbs such as think, believe, hope, suspect, doubt, and say that can be used correctly in a sentence even if the claim being expressed is false.

A. J. Ayer

A philosopher who argued that one cannot claim knowledge if the basis for their true belief relies on a method that is not generally reliable, such as superstition or pure emotion.

Objective Truth

Truth that is grounded in reality and is the same for everyone, existing independently of personal desires, beliefs, or awareness.

Protagoras

An ancient thinker who lived before Plato and argued for a relativistic understanding of truth, holding that things are true for the individual subject.

Relativist Theory of Knowledge

A theory asserting that truth and knowledge are always relative to an individual subject (or to an individual at a specific moment) rather than being objectively true.

Self-Refuting Theory

A theory whose core claim, when applied to itself, leads to an inconsistency or refutation, causing the theory to destroy or defeat itself.

Abrahamic Religions

Major world religions—specifically Christianity, Islam, and Judaism—that trace a common ancestry back through Abraham and share the belief that God is omniscient.

Omniscient

A term meaning all-knowing or possessing all possible knowledge.