OLI - 1. Statements and arguments

logic

the study of principles of correct reasoning.

argument

reason for accepting the truth of some particular claim.

conclusion

the particular claim that an argument is for

statement

something that has to be either true or false, and can't be both.

types of sentences

declarative, indexical, ambiguous, non-declarative

premise

set of statements, the reason for accepting the truth of the conclusion.

explanation

simply provides information, it doesn't attempt to establish the truth of a statement.

definition

defines a word or phrase.

description

provides a mental image of the object or situation being described.

standard form

write out all the premises first, then separate the conclusion by drawing a line and setting the symbol ∴ (therefore)

valid

any argument where the truth of the premises makes it impossible for the conclusion to be false

inductively strong

an argument where the truth of the premises does not guarantee the truth of the conclusion, but rather makes it highly probably to be true

sound

arguments that are valid and have true premises

cogent

arguments that are strong and have true premises

proof

an argument that demonstrates its conclusion by a series of logical steps