PHIL 1104 Study Guide - Final Guide: Logical Form, Fecundity, Consequentialism
Document Summary
Argument: set of assumed facts or principles [premises] which are used to show the truth of a conclusion. If all the premises are true then the conclusion must be true. Validity depends on the argument form not the content. Arguments that are both valid and have true premises are called sound. Inductive: provide a good reason for the argument to be true. Fallacies: bad arguments that are mistakenly presented to try and convince someone of a point without giving a good reason. Utility: the label for the property of an object to produce benefit/pleasure/happiness or prevent pain/harm/unhappiness. Values a thing or action in accordance with its positive or negative utility. Net gain or net loss of happiness to the [community of] individuals involved. The happiness of a community is the sum of the happiness of its members. Physical: caused by the ordinary process of nature. Propinquity or remoteness: how quickly the pleasure comes.
