Introduction to Logic & Critical Thinking

These flashcards cover key concepts in logic and critical thinking, focusing on arguments, fallacies, and cognitive biases.

Validity

The FORM of an argument, determining if the conclusion follows from the premises.

Soundness

The condition where an argument is both valid and the premises are true.

Strength

Refers to the strength of an argument's premises for Inductive Arguments (IA).

Cogency

The quality of being convincing or believable, determined by the strength and truth of premises in an Inductive Argument (IA).

Fallacy

A defect in reasoning that leads to an invalid argument.

Formal fallacies

Defects in the structure (or form) of the argument.

Informal fallacies

Defects in the content (or meaning) of the argument.

Affirming the consequent

A formal fallacy where the consequent is affirmed, leading to a false conclusion.

Denying the antecedent

A formal fallacy that occurs when the antecedent is denied, leading to an invalid conclusion.

Fallacies of relevance

Fallacies where the premises are irrelevant to the conclusion.

Bandwagon argument

An appeal to popularity in which the arguer attempts to persuade by saying that everyone else is doing it.

Appeal to authority

Persuasion by citing an authority figure or institution instead of presenting an actual argument.

Hasty generalization

An informal fallacy where a conclusion is drawn from an insufficient amount of evidence.

False cause

The fallacy of assuming that because one thing follows another, the first must be the cause of the second.

Slippery slope

A fallacy that assumes a relatively small first step will inevitably lead to a chain of related events culminating in a significant impact.

False dilemma

Presenting two options as the only possibilities when more exist.

Begging the question

A fallacy where the conclusion is included in the premise.

Equivocation

An ambiguous term used in multiple ways in an argument, leading to a fallacy.

Argument ad hominem

Attacking the opponent's character or personal traits instead of engaging with their argument.

Strawman fallacy

Misrepresenting or oversimplifying someone's argument to make it easier to attack.

Cognitive bias

A systematic pattern of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment that affects the way we think.