Essential Logic Terms for AP Seminar

Rationality

The ability to reason.

Syllogism

A formal, 3-part logical structure: Major premise: General rule; Minor premise: Specific case; Conclusion: What follows logically.

Enthymeme

A syllogism with one part left out — often assumed.

Deductive Argument

If premises are true, conclusion must be true. Structure: General → Specific → Certain.

Entailment

When the truth of the premises guarantees the truth of the conclusion.

Valid Argument

Logical structure is correct. Truth of premises doesn't matter.

True Argument

A valid argument with all true premises. Result: Conclusion is guaranteed true.

Inductive Reasoning

Uses specific examples to guess a general rule.

Abductive Reasoning

The best explanation based on available evidence.

Occam's Razor

Choose the simplest explanation that fits all the facts.

Interlocutor

The person you're having a philosophical discussion with.

Socratic Method

Asking pointed questions to expose flaws in reasoning.

Hegelian Dialectic

Truth evolves by conflict: Thesis vs. Antithesis → Synthesis.