Philosophy here and now chapter 1
Guidelines for reading and appreciating philosophy
1) approach the text with an open mind. 2) read actively and critically. 3) identify the conclusion first, then the premises 4) outline, paraphrase, or summarize the arguments 5) evaluate the argument and formulate a tentative judgment
3 parts of psyche (soul)
1) intellect 2)passion 3)appetites (desires)
Conditional statements have two parts
1) part beginning with if (antecedent) 2) The part beginning with then (consequent)
Cogent
A strong inductive argument with true premises
Explain how reductio ad absurdum arguments work
If you assume that a set of statements is true, and yet you can deduce false or absurd statement from it, then the original set of statements as a whole must be false
Straw man
The fallacy of miss representing a person's views so they can be more easily attacked or dismissed
Antecedent
The part beginning with if
Consequent
The part beginning with then
Logic
The study of correct reasoning
Epistemology
The study of knowledge
Metaphysics
The study of reality a inquiry into the fundamental nature of the universe and the things in it
Metaphysics
The study of reality in the broadest sense, an inquiry into the elemental nature of the universe and the things in it (god)
Axiology
The study of value including both aesthetic value and moral value
Axiology
Value Theory. The study of value, aesthetic value and moral value
Relate how Socrates showed that trasymachus's Notion of justice was a wrong
Whatever is in the interest of the strongest "might makes right ". Those with power do not always do things in their own interest
Ethics (moral philosophy)
the study of morality using the methods of philosophy
Division
The fallacy of arguing erroneously that what can be said of the whole can be said of the parts
Appeal to popularity
The fallacy of arguing that a claim must be true not because it is backed by good reasoning but because many people believe it
Begging the question
The fallacy of trying to prove a conclusion by using that very same conclusion as support
Sound
When the valid (deductive argument) has true premises
The practical and theoretical benefit of studying philosophy
•it gives us the intellectual wherewithal to improve our lives by improving our philosophy of life •It helps us live in examined life • it frees us to become independent thinkers and develop our own beliefs •It helps us appreciate understanding for its own sake
Fallacy
A common but bad argument
Valid
A deductive argument with an airtight structure
Inductive argument
An argument intended to give probable support to its conclusion
Reductio ad absurdum
An argument of this form: 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 false
Statement(claim)
And assertion that something is or isn't the case and is therefore the kind of utterance that is either true or false
Modus Ponens (affirming the antecedent)
Any argument having this form is valid
Modus Tollens (denying the consequent)
Any argument having this form is valid
Modus Tollens denying the consequent example
If p then q Not q Therefore q
Modus ponens Affirming the antecedent example
If p then q P. Therefore, q
Conclusion
In an argument, the statement being supported
Premise
In an argument, the statement supporting the conclusion
Argument
Statement coupled with other statements that are meant to support that statement
Epistemology
Study of knowledge and truth
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 must be true
Composition
The fallacy of arguing erroneously that what can be said of the parts can also be sad of the whole
Genetic fallacy
The fallacy of arguing that a statement can be judged true or false based on its source
Appeal to ignorance
The fallacy of arguing that either (1)the 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
Strong
Inductive arguments successful and lending probable support to the conclusion
Weak
Inductive arguments that are unsuccessful in lending probable support to their conclusion
4 main divisions of philosophy
Metaphysics Epistemology Axiology logic
Socratic method
Question and answer dialogue and which propositions and methodically scrutinized to uncover the truth
Conclusion indicator words
indicate a conclusion is being stated
Premise indicator words
Words that indicate reason is following
2 conditions that must be met for an argument to be good
• Solid logic • true premises
Deductive argument
An argument intended to give logically conclusive support to its conclusion
Why did Socrates declare that the unexamined life is not worth living
He believed philosophy is care for the soul. Lack of knowledge (ignorance) harms the soul Reason should guide us past falls certitudes of custom, tradition, and superstition to get the truth
Explain the Socratic method and how he used it in search of understanding
• The Socratic method question and answer dialogue in which propositions are methodically scrutinized to uncover the truth. • Ask people seemingly simple questions about their views on virtue, religion,justice or the good, challenging them to think critically • socrates turn to critically examining peoples basic concepts, common beliefs and morals thinking