Primer on the Methods of Philosophy

How many sentences can each argument step have?

One complete, declarative sentence

What are the two labels for a step?

Premise or a conclusion

What is the last line of an argument?

Main conclusion

How many main conclusions can you have in an argument?

One.

How many ideas can a step have?

One. However, it varies depending on the statement.

What two qualities make a good argument?

the premises are correct and they must provide reason to believe the conclusion

T or F: An argument works if a starting point is incorrect

False

T or F: True premises must mean good reasons to believe the conclusion

False

What two qualities must a good argument have?

Correct premises and must provide a reason to believe the conclusion

What is a synonym for correct premises?

True premises

What is a term for premises that do or don’t provide reasons to believe the conclusion?

Strong/Weak Inferences

How do you determine the strength of an inference?

The strength of an inference is determined by the relationship between the premises and the conclusion, not the truth/falsity of the premises or conclusions.