FLASHCARDS

What does “Valid” mean?

means something is “true and reliable”! So, if you have a good reason (the premises), you can trust that the answer (the conclusion) will be correct.

Cogent =

Strong + True Premises

What is the Equivocation Fallacy

happens when a word or phrase is used with different meanings in an argument, making the reasoning misleading or invalid

Formal Fallacies

are mistakes in the structure of an argument. They occur when the reasoning is logically invalid, regardless of the content or truth of the premises

Example:

• Affirming the Consequent:

If it rains, the ground gets wet.

The ground is wet.

Therefore, it rained.

🚨 Invalid: The ground could be wet for other reasons (e.g., sprinklers).

What are Informal Fallacies?

are mistakes in the content or reasoning of an argument. They often involve false assumptions, misleading reasoning, or irrelevant points that weaken the argument.

Example:

• Ad Hominem:

“You can’t trust John’s argument about climate change; he’s not a scientist.”

🚨 Irrelevant: John’s qualifications don’t affect the validity of his argument.