Chapter 1 Self-Assessment + Notes PHI Final Exam

reductio ad absurdum

If you assume that a set of statements is true, yet you can deduce a false or absurd statement from it, then the original set of statements as a whole must be false

In an argument, the statement being supported is the conclusion, and the statements supporting the conclusion are the

premises

The fallacy of arguing that a claim must be true simply because many people believe it is known as

the appeal to popularity

Division

The fallacy of arguing erroneously that what can be said of the whole can be said of the parts

Genetic fallacy

The fallacy of arguing that a claim is true or false solely because of its source

An argument is not synonymous with causes

FALSE

The renowned philosopher who lived and worked in the Greek city of Alexandria in the fifth century was

Hypatia

Metaphysics

The study of reality, an inquiry into the fundamental nature of the universe and the things in it.

An argument is synonymous with persuasion

FALSE

An argument of this form "If p, then q; p; therefore, q" is called modus tollens

FALSE, should be "If p, then q; Not q; therefore, not p"

A deductive argument is an argument intended to give probable support to its conclusion

FALSE, should be logically conclusive

Premise

in an argument, a statement supporting the conclusion

Conclusion

in an argument, the statement being supported

The fallacy of misrepresenting a person's views so they can be more easily attacked or dismissed is called the

straw man fallacy

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, in inference to the best explanation we begin with premises about a phenomenon or a state of affairs to be explained. Then we reason from those premises to an explanation for that state of affairs. We try to produce the best explanation among several possibilities. The best explanation is the one most likely to be true

The key to identifying an argument in context is to first identify the author

False, the simplest way to locate an argument is to find its conclusion first, then its premises

Any type of declarative statement is an argument

FALSE

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

FALSE

"An unexamined life is not worth living"

Socrates

Empedocles articulated the basic outlines of natural selection twenty-five centuries ago

TRUE

Modus tollens is a valid argument form

TRUE, known as denying the consequent

Slippery Slope

The fallacy of arguing erroneously that a particular action should not be taken because it will lead inevitably to other actions resulting in some dire outcome.

False dilemma

The fallacy of arguing erroneously that since there are only two alternatives to choose from, and one of them is unacceptable, the other one must be true.

Appeal to ignorance

The fallacy of arguing that either (1) a claim is true because it hasn't been proven false or (2) a claim is false because it hasn't been proven true.

Equivocation

The fallacy of assigning two different meanings to the same significant word in an argument

Composition

the fallacy of arguing erroneously that what can be said of the parts can also be said of the whole

Logic

the study of correct reasoning

Eptistemology

The study of knowledge

Ethics

The study of morality using the methods of philosophy (also known as moral philosophy)

Analogical induction

Two or more things are similar in several ways; therefore, they are probably similar in one further way.

Fallacy

a common but bad argument

Argument

a statement coupled with other statements that are meant to support that statement

some common argument forms are invalid:

affirming the consequent, and denying the antecedent

Claim

an assertion that something is or is not the case and is therefore the kind of utterance that is either true or false

According to Socrates, a clear sign that a person has *blank* is her exclusive pursuit of social status, wealth, power, and pleasure

an unhealthy soul

The fallacy of rejecting a statement on the grounds that it comes from a particular person is known as

appeal to the person

The study of value in the broadest sense (moral, aesthetic, etc.) is known as

axiology

The fallacy of *blank* is trying to prove a conclusion by using that very same conclusion as support

begging the question

A good inductive argument is said to be

cogent

Words such as consequently, therefore, and as a result are

conclusion indicator words Some premise indicator words include: in view of the fact, because, assuming that, since, for, given that

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

deductive

A good argument is....

one that gives us good reasons for believing a claim-must have (1) solid logic and (2) true premises

The Socratic method

A question-and-answer dialogue in which propositions are methodically scrutinized to uncover the truth

Modus ponens

If P, then Q P Therefore, Q (affirming the antecedent)