Philosophy Chapter 1

Modus Ponens

If P then Q P Therefore Q

Conclusion

In an argument, the statement being supported

critical thinking

thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.

Epistemology

study of knowledge

Thrasymachus

Justice is the advantage of the stronger

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 origin.

appeal to the person

The fallacy of rejecting a statement on the grounds that it comes from a particular person, not because the statement, or claim, itself is false or dubious.

Begging the question

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

fallacy

A common but bad argument

Equivocation

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

Argument

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

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 be false.

Statement

An assertion that something is or is not the case and is therefore the kind of utterance that is either true or false/ Also called a claim.

Premise

In an argument, a statement, or reason, given in support of the conclusion.

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.

composition

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

Appeal to Popularity

The fallacy of arguing that a claim must be true not because it is backed by good reasons, but simply because many people believe it.

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

Strawman

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

ampliative

The predicate term adds to or amplifies the meaning of the subject term

Ethics

The study of morality using the methods of philosophy

Metaphysics

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

Axiology

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

Oracle of Delphi

Person representing the god Apollo; allegedly received cryptic messages from the god that had predictive value if the seeker could correctly interpret the communication

Socratic Method

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

Logic

the study of correct reasoning

Valid

founded on fact or evidence

Invalid

not good enough; not correct

Equivocation

When a writer uses the same term in two different senses in an argument.

implicit premise

a premise that is assumed by an argument but is not stated

Aristophanes

an ancient Greek dramatist remembered for his comedies (448-380 BC)

inductive argument

an argument intended to give probable support to its conclusion

deductive argument

an argument that is supposed to give logically conclusive support to its conclusion

Premise

an assumption; the basis for a conclusion

Socratic Paradox

"The only thing I know is that I know nothing at all"

Walter Kaufmann

(1921-1980) "Philosophy means liberation from the two dimensions of routine, soaring above the well known, seeing it in a new perspectives, arousing wonder and the wish to fly."

Plato

(430-347 BCE) Was a disciple of Socrates whose cornerstone of thought was his theory of Forms, in which there was another world of perfection.

Socrates

(470-399 BCE) An Athenian philosopher who thought that human beings could lead honest lives and that honor was far more important than wealth, fame, or other superficial attributes.

Hypatia

AD300 and 400s, a women who taught mathematics and astronomy

Xenophon

An ancient Greek philosopher, historian, soldier and mercenary, and a student of Socrates.

Clarence Darrow

Defended John Scopes during the Scopes Trial. He argued that evolution should be taught in schools.

Epicurus

Greek philosopher who believed that the world is a random combination of atoms and that pleasure is the highest good (341-270 BC)

Sophists

Greek teachers of philosophy, reasoning, and public speaking