Unit 2 (Argument Evaluation)

Question 1

What are the reasons that we write in standard form?

Answer 1

1. avoids extra steps and easier to see what is part of the argument
2. spot missing premises
3. easier to understand and evaluate
4. simpler and more convenient as everything is numbered.

Question 2

What are the two ways an argument can go wrong?

Answer 2

1. conclusion does not follow from its premises
2. premises that is not true

Question 3

How is standard form supposed to be like?

Answer 3

Premises on their own line, numbered, and clearly stated. Conclusion on its own line and numbered.

Question 4

How can we determine validity by playing pretend?

Answer 4

It is when we pretend the premises are true and ask ourselves then does the conclusion have to be true. If NOT then it’s invalid.

Question 5

What is a valid argument?

Answer 5

If the premises are true, than conclusion HAS to be true.

Question 6

What is a invalid argument?

Answer 6

not valid, it is possible for the premises to be true and the conclusion false

or the premises do not guarantee the truth of the conclusion.

Question 7

What is the common pattern of valid arguments?

Answer 7

1. If P, then Q.
2. P.
3. Therefore, Q.

Question 8

What are the six valid argument forms?

Answer 8

1. Argument by elimination
2. Simplification
3. Modus Ponens
4. Modus Tollens
5. Hypothetical Syllogism
6. Equivalence

Question 9

Argument by Elimination

Answer 9

1. Either P or Q.
2. Not P.
3. Therefore, Q.

Question 10

Simplification

Answer 10

1. P and Q.
2. Therefore, P.

Question 11

Modus Ponens

Answer 11

1. If P, then Q.
2. P.
3. Therefore, Q.

Question 12

Modus Tollens

Answer 12

1. If P, then Q.
2. Not Q.
3. Therefore, not P.

Question 13

Hypothetical Syllogism

Answer 13

1. If P, then Q.
2. If Q, then R.
3. Therefore, if P, then R.

Question 14

Equivalence

Answer 14

1. P if and only if Q.
2. Not P.
3. Therefore, not Q.

Question 15

What are the two invalid argument forms?

Answer 15

1. Affirming the consequent
2. Denying the antecedent

Question 16

Affirming the consequent

Answer 16

1. If P, then Q.
2. Q.
3. Therefore, P.

Question 17

Denying the antecedent

Answer 17

1. If P, then Q.
2. Not P.
3. Therefore, not Q.

Question 18

What are the two kinds of validity?

Answer 18

semantic and modal

Question 19

Semantic Validity

Answer 19

valid because it follows a valid form

Question 20

Modal Validity

Answer 20

valid because of the meaning of the terms

Question 21

True or false: Valid argument can have false premises.

Answer 21

True

Question 22

What are the steps of argument evaluation?

Answer 22

1. Determine if the argument is valid
2. Evaluate arguments premises

Question 23

Step 1 of argument evaluation: Determine if the argument is valid

Answer 23

Does the conclusion follow from the premises.

Question 24

Step 2 of argument evaluation: Evaluate arguments premises

Answer 24

1. Are the premises true? Sound arguments
2. Are the premises reasonable to believe? Strong arguments
3. Are the premises known? Known arguments

Question 25

Ways an argument can be GOOD

Answer 25

1. Sound arguments 2. Strong arguments 3. Known arguments

Question 26

Sound arguments and its limitations

Answer 26

- valid with true premises - Limitations: don't always have access to the truth and can have premises not supported by evidence - Even if an arguemnt is sound we still have no reasons to believe its conclusion

Question 27

Strong and its limitations

Answer 27

- Valid with premises that are reasonable/rational to believe - strength of the argument can vary from person to person and can vary for a single person over time - Limitations: can have premises and conclusions that are false

Question 28

For strong arguments does the number of premises matter?

Answer 28

- the number of premises matters as too many will result into stuff like the lottery paradox - To avoid the paradox it is reasonable to believe all the premises together

Question 29

Known Arguments

Answer 29

- valid with premises known to be true and reasonable to believe * basically sound AND strong* - best kind of argument

Question 30

To know a premise is true:

Answer 30

You need to believe it and luck cannot be involved.

Question 31

Problem with Known Arguments

Answer 31

Knowledge is a high bar

Question 32

Strong arguments and sound arguments: which is subjectively good and which is objectively good

Answer 32

Strong = subjectively good Sound = objectively good

Question 33

What arguments give us reason to believe their conclusion?

Answer 33

Known and strong

Question 34

What argument is both subjectively and objectively good?

Answer 34

Known argument

Question 35

Which argument can have false premise?

Answer 35

Strong premise