PHIL 150 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1, A-E: Plasma Display, Spinach, Critical Thinking
10 May 2018
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PHIL Logic (R): Chapter 1 (A-E) What Logic Studies
Wireless Philosophy (Introduction, Deductive, Abductive, Justification)
A. Statements and Arguments
Statement – declarative sentence – states something is the case
Truth value – every statement is either true or false (possibilities called truth values)
Proposition – the information content imparted by a statement (its meaning)
Inference – refers to the reasoning process that is expressed by an argument
B. Recognizing Arguments
Argument – offers support for a conclusion
o Non-arguments (ex: beliefs, opinions) – not arguments but can offer support for a
conclusion (aka act as premises)
Conclusion indicators:
Therefore
Consequently
It proves that
Thus
So
In conclusion
Suggests that
It follows that
Implied that
Hence
We can infer that
We can conclude that
Premise indicators:
Because
Assuming that
As indicated by
Since
As shown by
The fact that
Given that
For the reason(s) that
It follows from
Inferential claim – if a passage expresses a reasoning process, that the conclusion follows from the
premises, then we say that it makes an inferential claim
In any argument, there is at least one premise and a conclusion
C. Arguments and Explanations
Explanation – provides reasons for why or how an event occurred
o Can be part of an argument, but are not argument by themselves
o Tries to explain an established fact or an accepted fact
o Whereas, in arguments, we construct premises to support a conclusion whose truth is in
question
D. Truth and Logic
Truth value analysis – determines if the information in the premises is accurate, correct, or true
Logical analysis – determines the strength with which the premises support the conclusion
o AKA Strength of the inference
Basically, keep the two analyses separate
E. Deductive and Inductive Arguments
Deductive argument – it is claimed that the conclusion follows necessarily from the premises
o If the premises are truth, it is impossible for the conclusion to be false
o Key words: necessarily, certainly, definitely, absolutely
o Strong inferential connection between premises and conclusion
▪ Ex: All vegetables contain Vitamin C. Spinach is a vegetable. Therefore, spinach
contains Vitamin C.
Inductive argument (ampliative in WP) – it is claimed that the premises make the conclusion
probable
o If the premises are true, it is improbable for the conclusion to be false
o Conclusion goes beyond what is provided in the premises
o Key words: probably, likely, unlikely, improbable, plausible, implausible
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Document Summary
Phil logic (r): chapter 1 (a-e) what logic studies. Wireless philosophy (introduction, deductive, abductive, justification: statements and arguments. Statement declarative sentence states something is the case. Truth value every statement is either true or false (possibilities called truth values) Proposition the information content imparted by a statement (its meaning) Inference refers to the reasoning process that is expressed by an argument. Argument offers support for a conclusion: non-arguments (ex: beliefs, opinions) not arguments but can offer support for a, recognizing arguments conclusion (aka act as premises) We can conclude that: arguments and explanations question, truth and logic. It follows from premises, then we say that it makes an inferential claim. Inferential claim if a passage expresses a reasoning process, that the conclusion follows from the. Explanation provides reasons for why or how an event occurred. Truth value analysis determines if the information in the premises is accurate, correct, or true.
