Module 1

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson
Download our mobile app to listen on the go
Get App

Questions and Answers

What constitutes the conclusion within the structure of an argument?

  • A supporting fact that is assumed to be true.
  • The underlying context that provides background information.
  • An implied assumption that needs no further clarification.
  • The claim that the speaker is aiming to prove. (correct)

What is the primary goal when engaging in a debate, as suggested in the provided material?

  • To demonstrate the validity of one's perspective through compelling argumentation. (correct)
  • To ensure every participant feels their opinion is valued.
  • To find a middle ground that incorporates elements from all perspectives.
  • To encourage open-ended discussion without the need for resolution.

What does it mean for an argument to be 'enthymematic'?

  • It relies exclusively on emotional appeals rather than logic.
  • It omits certain premises or conclusions, assuming they are understood by the audience. (correct)
  • It is overly complex and difficult to understand.
  • It is presented with excessive enthusiasm and energy.

Which of the following is the MOST accurate definition of a 'valid' argument?

<p>An argument where, IF the premises are true, the conclusion MUST also be true. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean for an argument to be 'sound'?

<p>It is both valid and has true premises. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of arguments, what is a 'conditional sentence' primarily used for?

<p>To assert a relationship: stating IF one part is true, THEN the other part must be true. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the MOST accurate description of 'reconstructing' an argument?

<p>Identifying the implicit premises, stating the argument in fully explicit terms, and clarifying its structure. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to reconstruct arguments, especially in areas like legal studies?

<p>To accurately evaluate its validity and soundness, ensuring a fair assessment of its conclusions. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An argument can be valid even if:

<p>The premises are false and the conclusion is true. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the difference between an explanation and an argument?

<p>An explanation assumes the conclusion as true and clarifies why, while an argument tries to demonstrate the conclusion is true. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to say that validity and invalidity are properties of arguments, not of individual sentences?

<p>Validity refers to the relationship between premises and conclusion in an argument, while sentences are simply true or false. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might an argument be considered 'not good,' even if it is valid?

<p>Because the premises of the argument are not related to the conclusion. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Consider the following statement: 'If it is raining, then the ground is wet.' What type of statement is this, and what does it imply?

<p>It is a conditional statement asserting a relationship: if the first part is true, then the second part must also be true. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best encapsulates the purpose of premises in an argument?

<p>To provide reasons or justification in support of a conclusion. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of validity, what scenario conclusively demonstrates that an argument is INVALID?

<p>When ALL the premises are true, but the conclusion is false. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of 'implicit reasoning' relate to enthymemes?

<p>Enthymemes rely on implicit reasoning, where the audience fills in missing pieces based on common knowledge. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An argument presents the premises that 'All cats are mammals' and 'Snowball is a cat.' If the conclusion drawn is 'Snowball can fly', is this argument valid, sound, neither, or both?

<p>Neither valid nor sound (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An argument claims: 1) If a person is a genius, they are good at math. 2) John is not good at math. Conclusion: John is not a genius. Is this a valid argument form, and why?

<p>Yes, because it is an example of <em>Modus Tollens</em>. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which most accurately describes the relationship between validity and soundness in deductive arguments?

<p>A sound argument must be valid, but a valid argument is not necessarily sound. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A logician is presented with an argument and determines it is deductively valid. Upon further examination, they discover that at least one of the premises is demonstrably false. What can they definitively conclude about the argument?

<p>The argument is valid, but unsound. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Conclusion

A statement in an argument that a speaker tries to prove as true.

Enthymematic Argument

Arguments where certain premises or conclusions are left unstated because they are assumed to be understood.

Conditional Sentence

A form of argument, not the argument itself, with an 'if...then' structure.

Reconstructed Argument

Interpreting argumentative discourse to understand the arguer's intended argument, then expressing it explicitly.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Premises and Conclusions

Statements that can be true or false; parts of an argument.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Valid Arguments

Arguments where the conclusion's truth is guaranteed if the premises are true.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Sound Arguments

Arguments that are valid and have true premises.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Invalid Argument

Arguments where the conclusion does not necessarily follow from the premises.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Explanation

To clarify rather than persuade, explains why something occurred without argument.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Argument

To persuade the audience by providing reasons to support a conclusion

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

  • To convince someone in a debate, a strong, well-supported argument is essential.
  • Arguments consist of connected claims, with some claims supporting others.
  • The claim being argued is the first claim.
  • The claim used to support the first one is the second claim.
  • A third claim relates the first two.
  • Arguments can be improved through conditional statements.
  • The conclusion of an argument is the statement being debated.
  • Arguments are often enthymematic: premises or conclusions are left out, relying on common knowledge.
  • Enthymemes use implicit reasoning, expecting the audience to fill in the gaps.

Argument Validity

  • An argument is valid when "if the premises are true, the conclusion has to be true".
  • Premises of an argument entail or imply the conclusion.
  • The premises taken together establish the conclusion.
  • There are many forms of valid arguments.
  • An argument should conclusively show the conclusion to be true.
  • Premises being true guarantees the conclusion's truth in deductive arguments.
  • Inductive arguments involve generalization or universal claims from particular items.
  • An argument's validity does not guarantee its overall quality.
  • An irrelevant premise/conclusion does not imply the argument is good.

Conditional Sentences

  • Conditional sentences are the form of an argument, not the argument itself
  • Conditional Sentence Structure: IF (antecedent), THEN (consequent), or if p, then q.
  • Premise 1: If p, then q (conditional sentence).
  • Premise 2: P (affirms the antecedent).
  • Conclusion: Q (affirms the consequent).
  • Conditional statements state that if the first part is true, then the second part must also be true.
  • The speaker asserts the conditional relationship between ideas, not necessarily the truth of the antecedent or consequent.

Validity and Soundness

  • Arguments should be valid and have true premises to be considered sound.
  • A valid argument means if the premises are true, the conclusion must logically be true.
  • A sound argument is a valid one with all true premises; it fails if even one premise is false.
  • Arguments can be criticized for being invalid or valid but unsound.
  • A valid argument can have false premises and a false conclusion.
  • A valid argument can have false premises and a true conclusion.
  • An argument is invalid if the conclusion does not necessarily follow from the premises, even if all the premises and the conclusion happen to be true.

Identifying Arguments

  • An argument involves putting forward a claim and providing reasons to support it.
  • An argument consists of premises and a conclusion.
  • Arguments can be implicit and need reconstruction to identify their structure. One sentence can be an argument.
  • An argument is a set of declarative sentences organized to support a controversial conclusion.
  • Arguments are valid if the conclusion logically follows the premises
  • Arguments are invalid if it does not follow.

Argumentative Discourse

  • Argumentative discourse includes text or speech where an argument is presented.
  • The actual argument may not be fully present in the discourse.
  • Reconstruction of arguments is needed to clarify them.
  • Reconstruction involves:
    • Identifying relevant elements
    • Restating elements
    • Making implicit elements explicit
  • Reconstructing an argument helps assess whether it is good or bad.
  • A fully reconstructed argument allows one to assess its validity.

Assessing Arguments

  • If the premises do not follow from the conclusion, the argument is invalid.
  • Even if valid, an argument can be challenged if at least one premise is untrue or not well-supported.
  • Validity and invalidity apply to arguments, while truth and falsehood apply to premises and conclusions.
  • A valid argument can have false premises and a true conclusion.
  • A valid argument can have false premises and a false conclusion.
  • A valid argument cannot have true premises and a false conclusion.

Litigation and Arguments

  • A claim alone is not an argument but can be part of one.
  • Describing a court's decision is not an argument.
  • An explanation clarifies why something happened without arguing for a conclusion.
  • An explanation assumes the statement is true and specifies its causes.
  • An argument persuades by giving reasons (premises) to support a conclusion.
  • An argument treats the conclusion as a contested claim.

Argument Reconstruction

  • Identify the conclusion and premises of the argument.
  • Conditional sentences can be arguments
  • Key linguistic expressions identify arguments, such as "therefore" and "so".

Reconstructing Arguments

  • Start by determining the conclusion
  • Ensure clarity and completeness.
  • Do we correctly identify the premises
  • If the antecedent (premises) is true then the consequent (conclusion) is also true.
  • Accurate reconstruction is crucial.
  • Goal is to capture the arguer's argumentative points faithfully and completely.
  • The arguer aims to establish a claim by providing reasons.
  • Argumentative passages may not always be explicit.
  • Reconstructing an argument brings out the arguer's points.
  • Rewriting and making implicit premises explicit often necessary.
  • Start by restating the conclusion and work backwards to the premises.
  • Assess how well the premises support the conclusion and whether they are true.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Related Documents

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Open
Browser
Browser