aqa philosophy terminology

assertion/ claim

A statement that presents something as true - ‘all humans are mortal’

proposition

The meaning or content of a statement that can be true or false - ‘snow is white’

Antecedent

The “if” part of a conditional statement (what comes before the “then”

Consequent

The “then” part of a conditional statement (what follows from the antecedent) - if it rains (antecedent) then the ground will be wet (consequent)

analytic

True by definition; the predicate is contained in the subject - all bachelors are unmarried men

synthetic

Truth depends on the way the world is; requires checking facts - all bachelors are lonely

A priori

Known independently of experience (can be known through reason alone) - 2 + 2 = 4

A posteriori

Known through experience or observation - water boils at 100 degrees

contingent truth

happens to be true but could have been otherwise - its raining today

nessecary truth

cannot be false - 1 + 1 = 2

consistent

a set of statements that can all be true at the same time

inconsistent

a set of statements that CANNOT all be true at the same time - contradict eachother

objective

Independent of personal feelings, opinions, or perspectives - the earth orbits the sun

subjective

Dependent on personal feelings, opinions, or perspectives - warm weather is nice

tautology

a statement that is true in all possible situations - either it is raining or not raining

dilemma

A situation where there are two (or more) options, each with problems or undesirable outcomes - lie to someone as to not hurt their feelings and be dishonest, or be honest and upset them

paradox

A statement or situation that seems contradictory or absurd but may still be true (or exposes a flaw in reasoning)

prove

to demonstrate something is true with sufficient evidence

proof

the argument that establishes the truth of a claim

true and false

• matches reality or fact

• doesn’t match reality or fact

justification

The reasoning or evidence given to support a belief, showing that it is rationally held - I think it will rain because the weather forecast says 90%