Logic and Epistemology

argument

set statement where one or more premises are intended to provide evidence for or support for a conclusion.

inference

Process of moving from premise to conclusion.

conclusion indicators

therefore, thus, hence, so, consequently

premise indicators

since, for, because, given that

Conclusion appearence

Can appear anywhere in argument first sentence, middle, last or left unstated

Argument begins

With on premises but can have any number of them

Argument has only one

Conclusions though there may be sub arguments supporting individual premises

Deductive argument

premises are claimed to provide necessary grounds for the truth of its conclusion Has standards validity and soundness valid in order to be sound

Inductive argument

intended to merely support their conclusion as probable Has two standards Strength and Cogency strong in order to be cogent

Validity

The pattern of inference in a valid argument is such that if the premises are true the conclusion cannot be false logically follows premises

Soundness

Sound if it is deductively valid and has true premises

Strength

determined by the probability that the premises impart to the conclusion

Cogent

Strong inductive argument with true premises

Inference to best explanation

Type of inductive argument. Form of reasoning that tries to show that a particular theory is superior to all its competitors and that it is most likely to be true

ultimate goal of logic

Constructing and analyzing arguments to find true beliefs that help us navigate reality

Epistemology

A branch of philosophy that studies the nature, scope, and limits of knowledge how we know what we know, the justification of beliefs, and the process by which knowledge is acquired, validated, and applied.

epistemology greek origins

episteme (knowledge) and logos (study or discourse)

Justified True Belief/ Classical theory of knowledge

theory of knowledge which assert for someone to “know” something three conditions must be satisfied Belief, Truth, and Justification

Epistemologist

Try to define what it actually means to “know” something, explore what counts as valid justification for believing something

Justification

Involves scrutinizing different forms of evidence and methods of reasoning such as empirical observation, coherence with other beliefs, or foundational beliefs that do not require further justification. Justification provides good reasons or evidence for a belief.

Can a person have a true belief that does not count as knowledge?

Yes. A person can have a true belief by luck or coincidence without having good reasons for it, so the belief would not qualify as knowledge.

Why do epistemologists care about how a belief was formed and not just whether it is true?

Because a belief can be true by accident. Epistemologists want to understand whether the person has a reliable or justified basis for believing it.

Conclusion

A conclusion is the statement that the premises are intended to support

Why might an epistemologist prefer one explanation over competing explanations?

They may prefer an explanation because it has greater explanatory power, fits the evidence better, is simpler, or requires fewer unsupported assumptions.

Knowledge

Traditionally, knowledge is justified true belief: believing something that is true and having adequate justification for that belief.

belief

A person's acceptance or conviction that a particular statement or proposition is true.

Truth

A statement is true when it accurately corresponds to reality or the facts.