Philosophy Ch. 1 Quiz

When we arrive at a generalization about an entire group of things after observing just some members of the group, we are making a(n) _____.

enumerative induction

In the type of argument known as _____, we begin with premises about a phenomenon or state of affairs to be explained; then we reason from those premises to an explanation for that state of affairs.

inference to the best explanation

If inductive arguments succeed in lending probable support to their conclusions, they are said to be _____.

strong

In the argument form known as inference to the best explanation, we reason in this fashion: Two or more things are similar in several ways; therefore, they are probably similar in one further way.

false

Arguments intended to give logically conclusive support to their conclusions so that if the premises are true, the conclusion must be true are _____.

Deductive

An argument of this form—If p, then q; p; therefore, q—is called modus ponens.

True

In philosophy—and in any other kind of rational inquiry—accepting a conclusion (statement) without good reasons is an elementary mistake in reasoning.

True

A good deductive argument is said to be cogent.

false

An argument is synonymous with persuasion.

false

The systematic use of critical reasoning to try to find answers to fundamental questions about reality, morality, and knowledge is called _____.

philosophical method

If you assume that a set of statements is true, and yet you can deduce a false or absurd statement from it, then the original set of statements as a whole must be false. This kind of argument is known as _____.

reductio ad absurdum