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)