Epistemology + Logic and Reasoning

Practical Knowledge

Knowing how to do something (speaking a language)

Knowledge By Acquaintance

Knowing a person, place, or thing because we have encountered it (I know Samantha)

Factual Knowledge

Knowing that something is the case (True, believed, a proposition can be made, circumstances in the world match up)

True belief

The theory for knowledge involving believing something and that being the case

Plato’s Tripartite Theory

The theory for knowledge involving believing something, that belief being true, and the belief being based in reasoning or justification

Necessary Conditions

Conditions required for something to be the case (Must be 18+ to drink legally)

Sufficient Conditions

Conditions that are “enough” for something to be the case (Physically being able to lift a glass and swallow is enough to drink)

The Gettier Problem

Challenge to Plato’s tripartite theory that states justification is not always true and valid and therefore the tripartite theory is not sufficient.

Certainty

Possible fourth necessary element of knowledge involving being 100% sure of ones belief and the truth of it.

Objective Certainty

Knowledge that appears to be beyond any doubt

Subjective Certainty

Knowledge that one may not be entirely sure of or requires further proof.

Foundationalism

The kind of knowledge that all other knowledge is based upon

Rationalism

Justification from reasoning

Empiricism

Justification from senses

A priori

Justification from reasoning (Latin)

A posteriori

Justification from senses (Latin)

Coherentism

Beliefs that are justified as they align with other beliefs (a cycle without foundational beliefs.)

Reliabilism

Justification of beliefs resulting from trustworthy methods such as testimonies, memories, sense perceptions, and reasoning

Scepticism

Believing that it isn’t possible to know anything

Relative or Moderate scepticism

Believing there are only some kinds of things we cannot know

Solopsism

An extreme form of scepticism involving believing that the only thing we can be sure of is the existence of our own minds.

Validity

Premises leading to a conclusion in a way that if they are true the conclusion must be

Soundness

Premises leading to the conclusion while being true and logical

Analogy

Representing similarities between two things to indicate/support the conclusion that another similarity exists. (Paley’s Teleological Argument)

Rhetoric

The practice and study of persuasive communication

Ethos

Rhetorical device involving presenting virtuous character

Logos

Rhetorical device involving appealing to logic and reasoning

Pathos

Rhetorical device involving appealing to emotion

Fallacy

Failure in reasoning that renders argument invalid.

Formal Fallacy

The kind of fallacy involving flaw in structure (saying it wrong)

Informal Fallacy

The kind of fallacy involving having incorrect premises (what you are saying is wrong)

Cognitive Bias

A strong, preconceived notion about someone or something based on information we have, perceive to have, or lack.

Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc

Believing that correlation equals causation (after this therefore because of this)

Monte Carlo/Gambler’s Fallacy

The incorrect belief that more frequent happenings in past means less frequent happenings in future (or vice versa)

Dunning Kruger Effect

An individual with low ability having illusory superiority and assess their cognitive ability as greater than it is.

Slippery Slope Fallacy

Assuming without good reason a particular course of action will inevitably lead to certain undesirable outcomes.

Ad Populum Fallacy

Asserting that a claim is correct just because people generally believe that is

Attribution Bias

Trying to find reasons for other people’s or our own behaviours and motivations which may not reflect reality

Standard Form

A way of representing arguments in a clear, concise way. Provides a clear view of an argument’s premises and conclusions by taking away all unimportant phrasing and information