Unit One Vocab

Question 1

Inductive Argument

Answer 1

An argument in which we expect the conclusion to follow only PROBABLY from the premises. Based on assumption.

Question 2

Deductive argument

Answer 2

An argument in which we expect the conclusion to follow NECESSARILY from the premises. It’s impossible for the conclusion to be false.

Question 3

Argument based on mathematics

Answer 3

An argument in which the premises follow some mathematic rule in which the conclusion must be true.

Question 4

Argument from definition

Answer 4

An argument in which the conclusion is claimed to depend merely upon the definition of some word or phrase used in the premises.

Question 5

Categorical Syllogism

Answer 5

A syllogism in which each statement begins with one of the words “all”, “no”, or “some”.

Question 6

Hypothetical Syllogism

Answer 6

A syllogism having a conditional statement for one or both of its premises.

Question 7

Disjunctive Syllogism

Answer 7

A syllogism having a disjunctive statement in one or both of its premises. “Either … or …. “

Question 8

Argument from Analogy

Answer 8

An argument that depends on the existence of an analogy, or similarity, between two things or states affairs.

Question 9

Inductive generalization

Answer 9

An argument that proceeds from the knowledge of a selected sample to some claim about the whole group

Question 10

Argument from authority

Answer 10

An argument in which the conclusion rests upon a statement made by some presumed authority or witness.

Question 11

Argument based on signs

Answer 11

An argument that proceeds from the knowledge of a certain sign to a knowledge of the thing or situation that the sign symbolizes

Question 12

Casual inference

Answer 12

Underlies arguments that proceeds from knowledge of a cause to knowledge of the effect, or, controversially, from knowledge of a cause.

Question 13

Antecedent

Answer 13

The first part of a conditional statement.

Question 14

Consequent

Answer 14

The second or following part of the statement.

Question 15

Modus Ponens

Answer 15

Affirming the antecedent
“If P then Q
P.
Therefore Q.”

Question 16

Modus Tollens

Answer 16

Denying the consequent
“If P the Q
Not Q
Therefore not P.”

Question 17

Fallacy

Answer 17

An argument form that is logically defective because the premises little or no support to the conclusion.

Question 18

Syllogism

Answer 18

A deductive argument with two premises and a conclusion.

Question 19

Disjunctive statment

Answer 19

Asserts that at least one of two alternatives is true. (Typically an either or statement)

Question 20

Reductio ad absurdum arguments

Answer 20

Valid argument form, reducing to absurdity. Either contradicts itself or that it implies a logically absurd conclusion.