Week 2 - Why Philosophy?

Chapter 1

What is the philosophical method?

The systematic use of critical reasoning to try to find answers to fundamental questions about reality, morality, and knowledge

What is a fundamental idea?

An idea upon which other ideas depend and that logically supports other beliefs

What is philosophy’s greatest practical benefit?

It gives us the intellectual wherewithal to improve our lives by improving our philosophy of life

What is philosophy’s greatest theoretical benefit?

Understanding for its own sake; we want to know how the world works

What is metaphysics?

The study of reality

What is epistemology?

The philosophical study of knowledge

What is axiology?

The study of value, including both aesthetic value and moral value

What is ethics?

The study of morality using the methods of philosophy

What is logic?

The study of correct reasoning

What is the Socratic method?

Question-and-answer dialogue in which propositions are methodically scrutinised to uncover the truth

What is it to think philosophically?

To bring your powers of critical reasoning to bear on fundamental questions

What is an argument?

A group of statements in which one of them, the conclusion, is supported by the others, the premises

What is a statement/claim?

An assertion that something is or is not the case and is therefore the kind of utterance that is either true or false

What is a conclusion?

In an argument, the statement being supported by the premises

What is a premise?

A statement that supports the conclusion of an argument

What must a good argument have?

• Solid logic

• True premises

What is a deductive argument?

An argument intended to give logical conclusive support to its conclusion

What is an inductive argument?

An argument intended to give probable support to its conclusion

What does it mean for an argument to be valid?

It is a deductive argument where there is no way for the premises to be true while the conclusion is false

What does it mean for an argument to be strong?

It is an inductive argument that lends very probable support to its conclusion

What is a sound argument?

A valid deductive argument with true premises

What is a cogent argument?

A strong inductive argument with true premises

What are the valid argument forms?

Modus ponens and modus tollens

What is the modus ponens form?

If p, then q

p

Therefore, q

What is the modus tollens form?

If p, then q

Not q

Therefore, not p

What are the invalid argument forms?

Affirming the consequent and denying the antecedent

What is the affirming the consequent form?

If p, then q

q

Therefore, p

What is the denying the antecedent form?

If p, then q
Not p
Therefore, not q

What is an independent premise?

A premise that gives independent support to the conclusion without the help of any other premises

What is a dependent premise?

Premises that, taken separately, are weak, but together constitute a plausible reason for accepting the conclusion

What are the steps for good philosophical reading?

1. Approach the text with an open mind

2. Read actively and critically

3. Identify the conclusion first, then the premises

4. Outline, paraphrase, or summarise the argument

5. Evaluate the argument and formulate a tentative judgment

What is a fallacy?

A common but bad argument

What is the straw man fallacy?

The fallacy of misrepresenting a person’s views so they can be more easily attacked or dismissed

What is the ad hominem fallacy?

The fallacy of rejecting a statement on the grounds that it comes from a particular person, not because the statement itself is false or dubious

What is the appeal to popularity fallacy?

The fallacy of arguing that a claim must be true not because it is backed by good reasons by simply because many people believe it

What is the genetic fallacy?

The fallacy of arguing that a statement can be judged true or false based on its source

What is the equivocation fallacy?

The fallacy of assigning two different meanings to the same significant word in an argument

What is the appeal to ignorance fallacy?

The fallacy of trying to prove something by appealing to what we don’t know → arguing that a claim is true because it hasn’t been proven false or false because it hasn’t been proved true

What is the false dilemma fallacy?

The fallacy or arguing erroneously that since there are only two alternatives to choose from, and one of them is unacceptable, the other one must be true

What is the begging the question fallacy?

The fallacy of trying to prove a conclusion by using that very same conclusion as support

What is the slippery slope fallacy?

The fallacy of arguing erroneously that a particular action should not be taken because it will lead inevitably to other actions resulting in some dire outcome

What is the composition fallacy?

The fallacy of arguing erroneously that what can be said of the parts can also be said of the whole

What is the division fallacy?

The fallacy of arguing erroneously that what can be said of the whole can be said of the parts

What is evidence?

Evidence is something that makes a statement more likely to be true

What is the danger of denying contrary evidence?

Denying contrary evidence thwarts any search for knowledge and stunts our understanding

What is the best cure for denying contrary evidence?

To make a conscious effort to look for opposing evidence

What is confirmation bias?

When we seek out and only use confirming evidence

What is motivated reasoning?

Reasoning for the purpose of supporting a predetermined conclusion, not to uncover the truth

What is the best cure for motivated reasoning?

• Being reasonably sceptical if sources, especially ones that confirm your beliefs

• Being wary of assessments of credibility of sources that contradict your beliefs → address bias

• Giving opposing views a chance

• Breaking out of the bubble → seeking alternative views

What is the availability error?

When we rely on evidence not because it’s trustworthy but because it’s memorable or striking

What is the Dunning-Kruger effect

The phenomenon if being ignorant of how ignorant we are → the dumber you are, the smarter you think you are