9/9 9. Analyzing and Improving Arguments Free Online FlashCards

What is a proposition?

A proposition is a declarative statement that is either true or false. Questions, commands, and exclamations are not propositions.

How do premises differ from conclusions?

Premises are propositions offered as support for a conclusion, which is the proposition the argument attempts to establish.

How do validity and soundness differ?

Validity concerns whether true premises can lead to a false conclusion. Soundness requires validity plus premises that are actually true.

How does a truth table test an argument?

A truth table tests every possible truth-value assignment. An argument is invalid if any row has all premises true and the conclusion false.

What is equivocation?

Equivocation uses a key word or phrase with different meanings in different parts of the same argument.

What is circular reasoning?

Circular reasoning assumes, directly or indirectly, the conclusion it is supposed to establish, so its premises provide no independent support.

What is a false dilemma?

A false dilemma presents only two options even though additional possibilities exist. The alternatives may not be exhaustive or mutually exclusive.

What makes an argument ad hominem?

Ad hominem reasoning attacks a person instead of addressing the person’s claim, premises, evidence, or reasoning.

How should an argument be revised proportionally?

Improve an argument by narrowing its conclusion, adding evidence, defining terms, or acknowledging uncertainty so the claim does not exceed its support.

What are the antecedent and consequent in $P \to Q$?

In the conditional $P \to Q$, $P$ is the antecedent and $Q$ is the consequent.

What do $\forall$ and $\exists$ mean?

The universal quantifier $\forall$ means “for every” or “all,” while the existential quantifier $\exists$ means “there exists” or “at least one.”

What is affirming the consequent?

Affirming the consequent: from $P \to Q$ and $Q$, concluding $P$. The consequent may have other causes, so this form is invalid.