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