Chapter 13:

Question 0

General Point:

Answer 0

Absolute clarity is not possible, so we must demand only as much precision context requires and subject matter permits.

Question 1

Vague :

Answer 1

Lack of clarity, when it is unclear if a term applies or not.
Ex. Baldness - is H. Simpson bald?

Question 2

What is Vagueness? (4)

Answer 2

1. Vague terms have borders that are unclear (no definitive borders)
2. Not clear if a term applies to a particular case (Ex. Does baldness only apply to people with 10 hairs?)
3. Inability to resolve vagueness, it’s not due to an absence of knowledge.
4. Vagueness not sufficient on its own to undermine a premise, but it can depending on the case. –> We resolve vagueness by definition.

Question 3

Problematic Vagueness Definition:

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

Sorites Paradox definition:

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Slippery Slopes Definition:

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Types of Slippery Slopes (3):

Answer 6

1. Conceptual Slippery Slope
2. Fairness Slippery Slope
3. Causal Slippery Slope.

Question 7

Conceptual Slippery Slope:

Answer 7

Holds that there is no significant difference between concepts that exist at opposite ends of a continuum
Ex. Professional Amateur = no diff.

Question 8

A ____ of insignificant changes, can add up to __________ difference.

Answer 8

series, significant.

Question 9

Fairness Slippery Slope:

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

Causal Slippery Slope:

Answer 10

Due to one event, others will take place leading to disaster:
Domino Effect.