Everything Flashcards
Analytic, synthetic or contradictory?
Thrasymachus’ statement is false by definition b/c it is a synthetic statement.
It is a contradictory statement. Contradictory statements are false by definition because synthetic statements are neither true or false by definition, the statement is false by definition.
Definition: Analytic statement
A statement whos truth depends merely on the meaning of the terms
Definition: Vague expression
Lacks a precise meaning
Definition:Grammatical Ambiguity
Arises from a confusing grammatical construction rather than the meaning of words
Definition: Distributive use of a term
Refers to each and every member of a class
Definition: Contradictory statement
A statement that is false by definition
Definition: Synthetic statement
A statement whose truth or falsity does not depend merely on the meaning of the terms
Definition: Standard usage
The way the word is used by competent speakers of the language
Definition: Collective use of a term
Refers to the whole class rather than each and every member
Definition: Modus Tollens
Also known as Denying the Consequent
Definition: Sufficient condition
When the antecedent condition is true, the consequent must also be true
Which one is Modus Ponens?
- If you are a student of critical thinking, then you are studying applied logic. You are studying applied logic. Therefore you area student of critical thinking.
- If you are a student of critical thinking, then you are studying applied logic. You are a student of critical thinking. Therefore, you are studying applied logic.
- If you are a student of critical thinking, then you are studying applied logic. If you are studying applied logic, then you are familiar with the correct forms of reasoning. Therefore, if you are a student of critical thinking, then you are familiar with the correct forms of reasonings.
2
Which one is Modus Tollens?
- Chaser is either a border collie or he is a sophist. He is not a border collie. Consequently, he is a sophist.
- If chaser is a border collie, then he is a sophist. Chaser is not a border collie. Therefore, chaser is not a sophist.
- If chaser is a border collie, then he is a sophist. Chaser is not a sophist. Therefore, chaser is not a border collie.
3
Philosophy is the study of the limits and possibility of knowledge
The definition is too narrow because the defining term “the study of the limits and possibility of knowledge” fails to mention philosophers who study different fields in philosophy, such as justice. “Philosopher” is the referent to the term.
The analytic statement about Socrates and Thrasymachus is false by definition.
The following sentence is contradictory because it is false by definition. The analytic statement is true by definition according to the reportive definition and therefore this sentence is contradictory.
Analytic, synthetic or contradictory?
Thrasymachus’ left foot is big.
statement is synthetic. The truth or falsity of synthetic statements does not depend merely on the meaning of the terms. The truth of this statement is not a functional of the meaning of the terms, “Thrasymachus,” “big,” and “left foot”
Analytic, synthetic or contradictory?
The unit of measurement known as the foot contains 12 inches.
Statement is analytic. Analytic statement are true by definition because a foot, by definition, contains 12 inches, therefore this statement is analytic.
Analytic, synthetic or contradictory?
She worked on her paper for less than an hour because she worked on it for 45 minutes.
This is a analytic statement. Analytic statements are true by definition because 45 minutes is less than an hour, which by definition, has 60 minutes. The statement is true by definition.
What kind of ambiguity?
Bob is the same forwards and backwards.
Semantic ambiguity involving the use/mention distinction. To use a word is to use it in its normal function to refer to something else: that is, the word is a sign or a symbol of something else. To mention a word to draw attention to the word itself. It can be interpreted as meaning either that Bob, the person, is the same backwards and forwards, or that “Bob” the name is the same backwards and forward.
What kind of ambiguity?
Dogs are good companion animals
Semantic ambiguity involving the collective and distribution of a term. In collective use, a term refers to the class as a whole. In its distrivution use, a term refers to the members of the class taken individually. Taken collectively, the sentence means all dogs or dogs as a whole make good companion animals. Taken distributively, it means that each and every dog makes a good companion animal.
Set out the premises and conclusions of Thrasymachus’ argument for his definition of justice in standard form. Socrates has 2 options if he wishes to refute. Thrasymachus’ position. What are they? Which does he choose?
P1: The stronger are the ruler.
P2: The rulers make the laws
P3: The rulers make the laws to their own advantage
P4: The laws constitute what is just
C: Justice is the advantage of the stronger
-Is the argument logically strong? An argument is logically strong when the premises, if ture, actually provide support for the conclusion or make it reasonable to believe the conclusion is true
or
-Is the argument sound? An argument is sound if it is logically strong and it has true premises
=Socrates chose to ask if the argument is sound. He asks if P3 is true.
Glaucon thinks the term “good” is semantically ambiguous. Set out, explain and give example of the different meanings Glaucon describes to it.
Glaucon thinks that the term good can have the following meanings: -It can mean intrisincally good which means that it is desireable in itself apart from its consequences, like reading for pleasure.
or it can mean instrumentally good which means it is desireable only because of its consequences, like a bad tasting medicine.
Or it can be both which means it is desirable both for its own sake and because of its consequences like being healthy.
Kind of ambiguity:
The music teacher did not like that note.
Semantically ambiguous. It arises from possible multiple meanings of the term used. In this case, the term “note” can refer to the musical note or a written note. The sentence could be interpreted as meaning that…
Kind of ambiguity:
They stood and gazed at the moon in formal attire.
Grammatically ambiguous because its grammatical structure allows 2 or more interpretations. It could be interpreted as meaning either that the moon was in formal attire or the people gazing at the moon were in formal attire
