PHIL101 2025 - Arguments

PHIL101 - Lecture 1: Arguments in Philosophy

Instructor

  • Dr. Tosh Stewart, University of Otago

Course Information

  • Lecturers: Dr. Tosh Stewart, Professor Zach Weber, Professor Heather Dyke

  • All information available on Blackboard.

  • Access lecture notes and recordings through Blackboard or the Echo360 mobile app.

Tutors

  • Tutoring Staff:

    • Saba Ghoroori

    • Joseph Burke

    • Merlin Herrick

  • For philosophical inquiries, consult your tutor, especially during tutorials.

  • Course administration questions (e.g., extensions, absences) should be directed to Professor Weber, the Course Coordinator.

Administrative Details

  • Readings for each lecture will be available on Blackboard.

  • Recommended book: Elliot Sober’s Core Questions in Philosophy.

  • Lectures occur twice a week; Workshops (tutorials) once a week, starting next week.

  • Check eVision portal for tutorial assignments.

Assessments

  • In-Class Test: 2 April

  • Essay Due Date: 12 May

  • Weekly quizzes during tutorials starting next week; 10 correct answers out of 12 workshops earn 10% maximum.

  • Attendance: If unable to attend more than two workshops, consult with the course coordinator.

Lecture Structure

  • The lecture will address philosophical problems and arguments.

  • Engagement is encouraged; ask questions to promote interaction.

  • Notes should be taken; students are advised to consider their own positions on arguments.

  • Lecture slides may be provided prior to the lecture.

Lecture Outline

  1. What is Philosophy?

  2. How Arguments Work

    • Premise-conclusion form

    • Validity

    • Soundness

What is Philosophy?

  • Definition:

    • Not a study of unanswerable questions or matters of opinion.

    • True definition includes studying existence, knowledge, morality, well-being, and academically related domains like biology and politics.

  • Philosophy is fundamentally focused on reasoning.

Importance of Philosophy

  • Explores deep and fundamental human questions.

  • Philosophical inquiry overlaps with all academic disciplines.

  • Many university subjects originated from philosophical branches.

Branches of Philosophy

  1. Metaphysics:

    • Studies the fundamental nature of reality.

    • Questions regarding existence and types of entities.

  2. Epistemology:

    • Investigates knowledge and belief.

    • Related to the philosophy of science.

  3. Aesthetics:

    • Explores questions about beauty and art.

  4. Philosophy of Mind:

    • Examines consciousness and the nature of the mind.

  5. Philosophy of Language:

    • Concerns the meaning of words and their relationship to reality.

  6. Moral Philosophy/Ethics:

    • Discusses right and wrong actions and the concept of a good life.

  7. Political Philosophy:

    • Studies societal structures and justification of laws.

  8. Logic:

    • Investigates forms and structures of reasoning.

Arguments in Philosophy

  • Definition of an Argument: A line of reasoning supporting a conclusion, distinct from conflict in dialogue.

  • Example Argument:

    • Premise 1: Heather likes wine from every Central Otago vineyard.

    • Premise 2: Carrick is a Central Otago vineyard.

    • Conclusion: Heather likes wine from Carrick.

Premise-Conclusion Form

  • Structure of an Argument:

    1. Premise 1: Heather likes wine from every Central Otago vineyard.

    2. Premise 2: Carrick is a Central Otago vineyard.

    3. Conclusion: Therefore, Heather likes wine from Carrick.

What Makes an Argument Good?

  • Criteria:

    • Convincing nature, valid logical structure and true premises.

  • Identifying good arguments starts with recognizing logical connections.

  • Refer to PHIL 105 Critical Thinking for an in-depth study on argumentation.

Technical Terms

  • Importance of understanding terms like argument, premise, and conclusion in philosophy.

  • These terms have specific meanings that differ from everyday usage, highlighted in slides for clarity.

Validity of Arguments

  • Definition:

    • An argument is valid if the conclusion logically follows from the premises.

    • Example:

      • Premises: 1. Heather likes wine from every Central Otago vineyard.2. Carrick is a Central Otago vineyard.3. Conclusion: Therefore, Heather likes wine from Carrick.

Validity Example

  • Assessing another argument:

    1. Everyone who likes whisky drinks at Albar.

    2. Heather drinks at Albar.

    3. Therefore, Heather likes whisky.

  • Conclusion: Invalid—premise may not guarantee the truth of the conclusion.

Soundness of Arguments

  • Definition: A sound argument is valid with all true premises.

  • Example: Whisky argument is unsound due to being invalid and having a false premise.

  • Soundness ensures that sound arguments have true conclusions.

Assessing Arguments

  • Steps to assess:

    • Determine validity or false premises.

    • Repairing arguments requires adding premises for validity.

Upcoming Lectures

  • Descriptive exploration of arguments on the existence of God.

  • Application of premise-conclusion form and assessment of validity and soundness.

Conclusion

  • See you tomorrow!