Logic and Argument Flashcards

What is an argument?

A connected series of statements in order to establish a definite proposition.

What is the purpose of an argument?

To find the truth

According to the ancient Greeks, how is man defined?

As a rational animal

Our minds reason from ___ to ___.

Premise → Conclusion

Define “premise.”

The evidence we give for the conclusion.

Define “conclusion.”

What we are trying to prove.

How is man’s reasoning different from animals’?

Humans think conceptually (abstract: God, math, music). Animals think perceptually (survival/environment).

What are the two types of reasoning?

a. Inductive reasoning

b. Deductive reasoning

Define inductive reasoning.

From particular to universal.

Define deductive reasoning.

From universal to particular.

What are the three acts of the mind?

Simple apprehension, judging, reasoning.

What is the mental product of simple apprehension?

Concept

What is the logical terminology for simple apprehension?

Term

What is the linguistic terminology for simple apprehension?

Words or phrases.

What is the evaluation for simple apprehension?

Clear terms.

What is the definition of judging?

Relating two concepts.

What is the mental product of judging?

Judgment.

What is the logical terminology for judging?

Proposition

What is the linguistic terminology for judging?

Declarative sentence.

What is the evaluation for judging?

Truth

What is reasoning?

Drawing a conclusion from two or more judgments.

What is the mental product of reasoning?

Argument

What is the logical terminology for reasoning?

Argument (syllogism)

What is the linguistic terminology for reasoning?

Paragraph

What is the evaluation for reasoning?

Validity

What is validity?

When the conclusion logically follows from the premises.

What is soundness?

An argument that is valid and has true premises.

What three questions do you ask when analyzing an argument?

a. Are the terms clear?

b. Are the propositions true?

c. Is the reasoning valid?

What is the Law of Identity?

X = X (things are what they are; terms are clear).

What is the Law of the Excluded Middle?

A proposition is either true or false (X or not X).

What is the Law of Non-contradiction?

A thing cannot both be and not be the same thing at the same time in the same way.

What are the three concepts (terms) in the syllogism: “All birds have feathers. A robin is a bird. Therefore, a robin has feathers.”

Birds, feathers, robin.

What are the three judgments (propositions)?

1. All birds have feathers.

2. A robin is a bird.

3. Therefore, a robin has feathers.

What is the major term (predicate of conclusion)?

Feathers

What is the minor term (subject of conclusion)?

Robin

What is the middle term (connects premises)?

Bird

What is the major premise?

All birds have feathers

What is the minor premise?

A robin is a bird.

Is the syllogism valid?

Yes

Why is the syllogism “All birds have feathers. A robin is a bird. Therefore, a robin has feathers” valid and sound?

It is valid because the conclusion follows logically from the premises:

• All birds have feathers (All M are P)

• A robin is a bird (S is M)

• Therefore, a robin has feathers (S is P).

It is sound because both premises are actually true — birds really do have feathers, and robins are birds.