PHIL 401 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Modus Tollens, Modus Ponens, Reductio Ad Absurdum
Document Summary
Argument: one or more declarative statements offered in support of another. Declarative statements: statement of facts that can be asked if they are true or false. Premise: a statement offered as evidence for or reason to believe another. Conclusion: a statement we are offering support for. Valid: is the argument valid, an argument that hangs together, everything turns on form- if the premises were true, what else would be true? (contrary to facts) Sound: is the argument sound, valid + all true premises. Strategies- chapter 6 of a rulebook for arguments by anthony weston. 39 of a rulebook for arguments: if the visitor was a stranger, then the dog would have barked, the dog did not bark, therefore, the visitor was not a stranger. Argue that from the assumption we"d have to conclude: b. Conclude: a must be true after all.
