Introduction to Argumentation and Philosophy (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture notes on argumentation, logic, and the Western/non-Western philosophical framework.

Philosophy

The love of wisdom; the study of arguments, reasons, and the pursuit of meaning, virtue, truth, and the good life.

Argument

A set of declarative statements (premises) connected by inferences that together support a conclusion.

Declarative statement

A sentence that asserts that something is the case; capable of being true or false.

Inference

The reasoning step that links premises to a conclusion within an argument.

Premises

The statements that provide reasons or support for the conclusion in an argument.

Conclusion

The main claim that the premises are intended to establish.

Soundness

An argument is sound when its premises are true (or acceptable) and its inferences are valid/strong.

Acceptability of premises

The credibility or reasonableness of premises, even if not universally true.

Relevance of inferences

The degree to which premises bear on and connected to the conclusion.

Adequacy of inferences

Whether premises sufficiently justify the conclusion.

Deductive argument

An argument where, if the premises are true, the conclusion must be true; aims for necessity.

Inductive argument

An argument where the conclusion is probable but not guaranteed, based on evidence.

Validity

In a deductive argument, the logical structure that guarantees the conclusion follows from the premises.

Strength

The degree to which premises support the conclusion, especially in non-deductive arguments.

Logos

Greek root for logic; meaning structure or order; used in various disciplines (e.g., theology, anthropology).

Metaphysics

The study of the fundamental nature of reality beyond the physical; what exists and what underlies it.

Epistemology

The study of knowledge, belief, truth, and justification; how we know what we know.

Ethics

The study of right and wrong, good and bad, and how we ought to act; from ethos (custom/habit).

Western logic

Logic tradition grounded in Aristotelian principles, including basic laws of thought.

Aristotelian laws

The three classical laws: identity (A is A), non-contradiction (not (A and not-A)), and excluded middle (A or not-A).

Tetralemma

A Buddhist logic schema with four possibilities: A, not-A, both A and not-A, or neither A nor not-A.

Anamnesis (recollection)

The Platonic idea that knowledge is recollected from the soul; education is uncovering preexisting knowledge.

Socratic method

A dialogical method of persistent questioning to refine definitions and pursue truth.

Gadfly

A label for Socrates: a provocative questioner who challenges others to think.

Midwife of ideas

Socrates' role in helping birth clearer concepts through dialogue and questioning.

Oracle of Delphi

The temple of Apollo where Socrates learned he was the wisest; highlights limits of knowledge.

Know thyself

Socrates’ imperative to examine one's own beliefs, values, and self-understanding.

The unexamined life is not worth living

Socrates’ claim that philosophical reflection is necessary for a meaningful life.

Human nature

Philosophical question about what it means to be human, including mind, body, soul, and self.

Anthropocentrism

View that humans are the center or most significant beings in the universe.

Relativism

The view that truth, knowledge, or ethics are relative to individuals or cultures rather than universal.

Non-Western philosophy

Philosophical traditions outside the Western canon (e.g., Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Confucianism).