Exam 1

Question 1

Logic

Answer 1

The study of methods for evaluating whether the premises of an argument adequately support its conclusion

Question 2

Argument

Answer 2

A set of statements where some of the statements are intended to support another

Question 3

Statement

Answer 3

A declarative sentence that is either true or false

Question 4

Premise

Answer 4

The statements offered in support of an argument

Question 5

Conclusion

Answer 5

The claim to be supported in an argument

Question 6

Deductive Argument

Answer 6

Where the premises are intended to guarantee the conclusion

Question 7

Inductive Argument?

Answer 7

Where the premises are intended to make the conclusion probable, without guaranteeing it

Question 8

Valid Argument?

Answer 8

A deductive argument in which the premises succeed in guaranteeing the conclusion

Question 9

Invalid Argument

Answer 9

A deductive argument in which the premises fail in guaranteeing the conclusion

Question 10

Sound Argument

Answer 10

A valid argument in which all of the premises are true

(valid + all premises true = sound)

Question 11

Unsound Argument

Answer 11

An invalid argument or has at least one false premise

(invalid = unsound or valid with at least one false premise = unsound)

Question 12

Argument Form

Answer 12

A pattern of reasoning

Question 13

Substitution Instance

Answer 13

An argument form that results from uniformly replacing the variables in that form with statements

Question 14

Valid Argument Form

Answer 14

Every substitution instance is a valid argument

Question 15

Formally Valid Argument

Answer 15

An argument that is valid in virtue of its form

(an argument can be valid w/o being formally valid)

Question 16

Negation

Answer 16

The denial of a statement

Question 17

Conditional Statement

Answer 17

An if, then statement

(ex: If A, then B)

Question 18

Antecedent

Answer 18

The first part or if-clause of a conditional statement

(antecedent is sufficient for consequent)

Question 19

Consequent

Answer 19

The second part or then-clause of a conditional statement

(consequent is necessary for antecedent)

Question 20

Disjunction

Answer 20

An either-or statement

(ex: Either A or B)

Question 21

Disjunct

Answer 21

The parts of a disjunction statement

Question 22

Modus Ponens (valid argument form)

Answer 22

1. if A, then B
2. A
3. So, B

Question 23

Modus Tollens (valid argument form)

Answer 23

1. if A, then B
2. Not B
3. So, Not A

Question 24

Hypothetical Syllogism (valid argument form)

Answer 24

1. if A, then B
2. if B, then C
3. So, if A, then C

Question 25

Disjunctive Syllogism (valid argument form)

Answer 25

1. Either A or B
2. Not A
3. So, B

or

1. Either A or B
2. Not B
3. So, A

Question 26

Constructive Dilemma (valid argument form)

Answer 26

1. Either A or B
2. if A, then C
3. if B, then D
4. So, Either C or D

Question 27

Famous Forms Method

Answer 27

Step 1: label each statement in the argument with a capital letter

Step 2: rewrite the argument replacing each statement with the letters

Step 3: check to see if the pattern of reasoning is taken from one of the famous forms. If it is, the argument is valid

Question 28

Invalid Argument Form

Answer 28

An argument that has some invalid substitution instances

Question 29

Counterexample

Answer 29

A substitution instance in which the premises are true and the conclusion is false

(this helps us show that an argument is an invalid argument form)

Question 30

Good Counterexample

Answer 30

A substitution instance in which the premises are well-known truths and the conclusion is a well-known falsehood

(the counterexample proves that the form is invalid)

Question 31

Fallacy of Denying the Antecedent

Answer 31

1. if A, then B
2. Not A
3. So, Not B

(opposite of Modus Tollens and an invalid argument form)

Question 32

Fallacy of Affirming the Consequent

Answer 32

1. if A, then B
2. B
3. So, A

(opposite of Modus Ponens and an invalid argument form)

Question 33

Categorical Statement

Answer 33

A statement that relates two classes or categories, where a class is a set or collection of things

(signaled by “all”, “some”, or “no”)

Question 34

The Counterexample Method

Answer 34

Step 1: Use capital letters to stand for statements or terms

Step 2: Find statements to terms that are known to be true for the premises and a well-known falsehood for the conclusion and replace them with the letters

Step 3: if succeeded the argument should be invalid

Question 35

Strong Argument

Answer 35

When it is probable (but not necessary) that, if the premises are true, then the conclusion is true

Question 36

Weak Argument

Answer 36

When it is NOT probable that, if the premises are true, the the conclusion is true.

Question 37

Cogent Argument

Answer 37

A strong argument in which all premises are true

Question 38

Uncogent Argument

Answer 38

An argument that is either weak or strong with at least one false premise