What is meant by validity or strength of an argument?
Generally, Strong Arguments are ones that are convincing. And an argument is valid if the
... [Show More] premises(if true) provide proof of the conclusion.
What are the different types of inferences?
- Deduction
- Induction
-Abduction
Inference
A conclusion one can draw from the presented details.
deduction
forming a general conclusion based on specific observations
Induction
forming a specific conclusion based on general premise.
Abduction reasoning
rules out explanations until most plausible remains
truth
A proposition that accurately represents reality.
validity
In a good deductive argument structure, when true premises make the conclusion necessarily true.
invalidity
One or two of the premises are false, thus making the conclusion false.
Soundness
The deductive argument is valid, and all premises are true premises.
Unsoundness
When the argument is invalid or the premises are false.
How is truth connected to propositions?
The relationship that holds between a proposition and its corresponding fact. If a proposition is true, then the conclusion is true, but if it's false then it's false.
valid argument form
an argument form in which every substitution instance is a valid (true) argument
invalid argument form
an argument form that has some invalid (false) substitution instances
Differentiate between truth, strength, and cogency.
- A strong argument can have a false conclusion even if it starts with true premises (strong arguments only make the conclusion probable, not certain).
- cogent argument must have true premises. Cogency is strength plus true premises.
Cogency: In a strong inductive argument, all premises are true.
All True Premises + Strong Inductive Support = Cogency Argument
Strength of an Argument
In the inductive argument, true premises make the conclusion probably true. (but not necessarily a guarantee, but the premises are supportive)
Cogency
In a strong inductive argument, all premises are true.
Fallacy
a type of bad argument.
Formal Fallacy
a logical error that occurs in the form or structure of an argument; it is restricted to deductive arguments
informal fallacy
a mistake in reasoning that occurs in ordinary language and is different from an error in the form or structure of arguments
The Fallacy Fallacy
You presumed that because a claim has been poorly argued, or a fallacy has been made, that the claim itself must be wrong.
the fallacy fallacy example
Recognizing that Amanda had committed a fallacy in arguing that we should eat healthy food because a nutritionist said it was popular, Alyse said we should therefore eat bacon double cheeseburgers every day.
types of informal fallacies
- Ad Hominem
- Appeal to Ignorance
- Begging the Question
- Confusion of Necessary with a Sufficient Condition
- Equivocation
- False Dilemma
- Faulty Analogy
- Inconsistency
- Irrelevant Authority
- Is-Ought
- Ought Is
- Questionable Cause
- Red Herring
- Slippery Slope
- Straw Person
- Two Wrongs
- Unwarranted Generalization
Unwarranted Generalization Fallacy
This fallacy occurs when we we make a generalization on the basis of insufficient evidence.
Two Wrongs Fallacy
This fallacy can occur by suggesting "if others are doing it, I can too".
Irrelevant Authority Fallacy
A fallacy when you accept without proper support for his or her alleged authority, a person's claim or proposition as true.
Is-Ought
A fallacy that assumes that just because something is a certain way, it ought to be that way.
Ought-Is
A fallacy when you assume that the way you want things to be is the way they are.
questionable cause
a fallacy that occurs when a speaker alleges something that does not relate to or produce the outcome claimed in the argument
Red Herring
A fallacy that introduces an irrelevant issue to divert attention from the subject under discussion
Slippery Slope
A fallacy that assumes that taking a first step will lead to subsequent steps that cannot be prevented
Straw Person
Distorting our opponent's point of view so that it is easy to attack; thus we attack a point of view that does not truly exist.
ad hominem
a fallacy that attacks the person rather than dealing with the real issue in dispute
Appeal to Ignorance
a fallacy based on the assumption that whatever has not been proven false must be true
begging the question
A fallacy in which a claim is based on evidence or support that is in doubt.
Confusion of Necessary with a Sufficient Condition
A fallacy where assuming a required condition will suffice the conclusion.
Equivocation Fallacy
when a key word or phrase in an argument is used with more than one meaning. It is an illegitimate switching of the meaning of a term during the reasoning.
False Dilemma
A fallacy of oversimplification that offers a limited number of options (usually two) when in fact more options are available.
faulty analogy
a fallacy that occurs when an analogy compares two things that are not comparable [Show Less]