PHI 2010 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Begging, Ad Hominem, Deductive Reasoning
Document Summary
An argument is a set of assertions: complex things with multiple parts. All being assertions: declarative sentences as opposed to interrogative or imperative sentences. Declarative: can be true or false: if it"s not a declarative sentence, it"s fluff, an argument is made up of the premises and the conclusion supported by the premises. Indicator words: since, because, given that, provided that, etc. Conclusion: the point you"re trying to prove. Indicator words: so, thus, therefore, for that reason, hence, etc. Logic is the branch of philosophy that formally discerns what makes an argument succeed or fail. (cid:1: deductive arguments. Purport to show that, given the truth of the premises, the conclusion must necessarily be true as well. If their premises are true, their conclusion has to be true as well. When it is well formed, its valid: when it is valid and has true premises, it is sound, if it lacks either, it is unsound.
