General Point:
Absolute clarity is not possible, so we must demand only as much precision context requires and subject matter permits.
Vague :
Lack of clarity, when it is unclear if a term applies or not.
Ex. Baldness - is H. Simpson bald?
What is Vagueness? (4)
- Vague terms have borders that are unclear (no definitive borders)
- Not clear if a term applies to a particular case (Ex. Does baldness only apply to people with 10 hairs?)
- Inability to resolve vagueness, it’s not due to an absence of knowledge.
- Vagueness not sufficient on its own to undermine a premise, but it can depending on the case. –> We resolve vagueness by definition.
Problematic Vagueness Definition:
When we cannot resolve vagueness, it renders our claims indeterminate, making us uncertain whether it is true of false.
(We don’t know whether to believe conclusion or not).
* When term leaves open too many borderlines, then it is used vaguely.
Sorites Paradox definition:
Premises seem true, argument is valid and yet the conclusion seems false. – Claims cannot all be true simultaneously (why they make for a paradox).
Ex. A person with 2 dollars is poor, 3 dollars is poor…. 1 mill dollar = poor.
Slippery Slopes Definition:
Idea that there is no important difference between items that are thought to differ in degree.
– If items are in fact importantly different, and we don’t think that they’re different.
Types of Slippery Slopes (3):
- Conceptual Slippery Slope
- Fairness Slippery Slope
- Causal Slippery Slope.
Conceptual Slippery Slope:
Holds that there is no significant difference between concepts that exist at opposite ends of a continuum
Ex. Professional Amateur = no diff.
A ____ of insignificant changes, can add up to __________ difference.
series, significant.
Fairness Slippery Slope:
Treating similar cases that exist on a continuum differently can be unfair:
Ex. Grades. 50%(pass) & 49.5% (fail)
– Small differences don’t justify unequal treatment.
Causal Slippery Slope:
Due to one event, others will take place leading to disaster:
Domino Effect.