Ch. 8: deductive arg. Flashcards
(38 cards)
deductive argument
claims that its conclusion necessarily follows from the premises.
-presented in the form of syllogisms, with two supporting premises and a conclusion.
form of an argument
determined by its layout or pattern of reasoning.
valid
-the form of the argument is such that the conclusion must be true if the premises are true.
valid ex:
All A are B.
C is A.
C is B.
Sound
- (1) it is valid, and (2) the premises are true.
- Not all valid arguments for sound. Can still be unsound if one of the premises is false.
Sound ex:
All men are mortal (true)
Socrates is a man (true)
Socrates is mortal (has to be true)
Quantity
whether a categorical proposition is universal or particular.
-Particular (qualifiers: “Some”)
Quality
- Affirmative (qualifiers: “All,” “Every,” “Some are”)
- Negative (qualifiers: “No,” “None,” “Some are not”)
Universal Affirmative
All A are B.
Universal Negative:
No A are B.
Particular Affirmative:
Some A are B.
Particular Negative:
Some A are not B.
Arguments by Elimination
Rule out different possibilities until only one possibility remains.
Arguments by Elimination Ex:
It is A, B, or C
It is not A
It is not B
Therefore, it is C
Disjunctive syllogism
-argument by elimination
-Either A or B
Not A
Then, B
Arguments Based on Mathematics
Depend on mathematical or geometric equations to generate conclusions.
Arguments Based on Mathematics Ex:
Chris is 6’2”
I am 5’6”
Therefore, Chris is 8” taller than me
Arguments of Definition
-The conclusion is true because it is based on a key term or essential attribute in a definition.
Arguments of Definition Ex:
Paulo is a father
All fathers are men
Therefore, Paulo is a man
Hypothetical Syllogisms
- A form of deductive argument
- contains two premises, at least one of which is a hypothetical or conditional if…then statement.
patterns of hypothetical syllogisms
- Modus ponens (affirming the antecedent)
- Modus tollens (denying the consequent)
- Chain arguments
Modus Ponens
-Affirming the antecedent
If A, then B.
A
Therefore, B
Modus Ponens Valid ex:
If Barack Obama is president, then he was born in the US.
Barack Obama is president.
Therefore, he was born in the US.
Modus Ponens InValid ex:
If Oprah Winfrey is president, then she was born in the US.
Oprah Winfrey was born in the US.
Therefore, Oprah Winfrey is president.
Fallacy of affirming the consequent