Connectedness of Concepts and Theories of Truth

Flashcards covering the second week's lecture on necessary and sufficient conditions, types of possibility, theories of truth, and logical validity.

Necessary condition

A condition where the occurrence of $X$ is required for the occurrence of $Y$. For example, having four sides is required for being a square.

Sufficient condition

A condition where the occurrence of $X$ guarantees the occurrence of $Y$. For example, being a square guarantees having four sides.

Both necessary and sufficient

A relationship where $X$ is required for $Y$ and also guarantees it, such as the relationship between being an unmarried man and being a bachelor.

Necessary but not sufficient

A relationship where $X$ is required for $Y$, but its presence does not guarantee $Y$. For example, oxygen is required for survival, but oxygen alone does not guarantee survival.

Sufficient but not necessary

A relationship where $X$ guarantees $Y$, but $Y$ can occur without $X$. For example, being a son guarantees being a parent, but being a son is not the only way to be a parent.

Criterion of definition

The use of necessary and sufficient conditions to define a term, such as defining a bachelor as an unmarried man.

Write-off fallacy

The erroneous claim that $X$ is not important for $Y$ because $X$ is neither necessary nor sufficient for $Y$. It ignores that $X$ can be an important factor that makes effect $E$ more likely to happen.

Logical possibility

A type of possibility concerned with consistent concepts, with an example being a 'Red square without square'.

Empirical possibility

A type of possibility concerned with what can happen in the physical world, such as dissolving gold in pure water.

Exclusive possibility

A situation where the possibility of one outcome excludes the possibility of the other, such as a rainstorm versus being in Spanish.

Exhaustive possibility

A set of possibilities that do not leave out any situation.

Exclusive and exhaustive

A set of possibilities that cover all scenarios without overlap, such as the set $x > 0$, $x = 0$, and $x < 0$.

Exhaustive but not exclusive

A set of possibilities that covers all situations but allows for overlap, such as $x > 4$ and $x < 10$.

Falsity (Aristotle's definition)

Defined as 'What is that it is not, or What is not that it is.' (e.g., Paris is in Japan).

Truth (Aristotle's definition)

Defined as 'What is that it is, or What is not that it is not.' (e.g., Paris is in France).

Correspondence theory of truth

The theory that a statement is true if it corresponds to reality, such as 'Snow is white'.

Pragmatic theory of truth

The theory that a statement is true if it shows practical consequences in its favor, such as the existence of electrons.

Coherence theory of truth

The theory that a statement is true if it satisfies or fits with existing ideas, such as Darwinian theory.

Relativism

The view that truth is a matter of perspective.

Objectivism

The view that something can be objectively true even if no one knows it or people disagree; objective truth may change with time (e.g., the belief that the Earth is flat).

Validity

A property of an argument, as opposed to truth which is a property of a declarative statement.

Analytic truth

A statement that is true by its own meaning, such as 'Every triangle has 3 sides'.

Empirical truth

A statement whose truth is based on observation or factual evidence, such as 'Some apples are green'.

Value truth

A statement regarding ethics or norms, such as 'We should not torture babies'.