Philosophy Ch. 1 Vocabulary

Statement

( or claim) An assertion that something is or is not the case and is therefor the kind of utterance that is either true or false.

Straw man

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

Logic

The study of correct reasoning.

Epistemology

The study of knowledge.

Axiology

The study of value, including both aesthetic value and moral value.

Philosophical Method

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

Argument

A group of statements in which one of them (the conclusion) is supported by the others.

Conclusion

In an argument, the statement being supported by the premise.

Ethics

The study of morality using the methods of philosophy.

Metaphysics

The study of reality.

Fallacy

A common but bad argument.

Premise

A statement that supports the conclusion of an argument.