Classical Conversations Logic Vocab (Lessons 1-15)

Questions and Answers

What is the definition of Logic?

Any statement that is either true or false.

Reasoning with certainty from premises to conclusions.

A statement that gives the meaning of the term.

The science and art of reasoning well. (correct)

What does the law of excluded middle state?

Any statement is either true or false.

What is the law of identity?

If a statement is true, then it is true.

What is the law of noncontradiction?

A statement cannot be both true and false. Signup and view all the answers

What is formal logic?

Deals with the proper models of reasoning. Signup and view all the answers

What is informal logic?

Deals with operations of thinking that are indirectly related to reasoning. Signup and view all the answers

What is induction?

Reasoning with probability from examples or experience to general rules. Signup and view all the answers

What is deduction?

Reasoning with certainty from premises to conclusions. Signup and view all the answers

What is categorical logic?

Connects one category (or term) with another (uses syllogisms). Signup and view all the answers

What is propositional logic?

Connects entire propositions together in arguments. Signup and view all the answers

What is a term?

A concept that is expressed precisely in words. Signup and view all the answers

What is a definition?

A statement that gives the meaning of the term. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 6 purposes of definitions?

<ol> <li>Show relationships 2. Remove ambiguity 3. Reduce vagueness 4. Increase vocabulary 5. Explain concepts theoretically 6. Influence attitudes.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is an ambiguous word?

A word that has more than one definition. Signup and view all the answers

What is a lexical definition?

A definition which shows relationships or reduces ambiguity by providing a single, established meaning of a term. Signup and view all the answers

What is a vague word?

A word whose extent is unclear. Signup and view all the answers

What is a precising definition?

A definition which makes more precise what was vague or fuzzy. Signup and view all the answers

What is a stipulative definition?

Definition needed when a new word is invented or an existing word is applied in a new way. Signup and view all the answers

What is a theoretical definition?

Definition given for a term when the term is not understood, often scientific or philosophical in nature. Signup and view all the answers

What is a persuasive definition?

A definition that aims at persuading the listener one way or another toward the term being defined. Signup and view all the answers

What is a genus?

Is a term that is more general, broad, or abstract than the original term and includes it. Signup and view all the answers

What is a species?

Is a term that is more specific, narrow, or concrete than the original term and is included by it. Signup and view all the answers

What does mutually exclusive mean?

Not overlapping. Signup and view all the answers

What does exhaustive mean?

Complete, no other types exist. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 3 basic errors to avoid in genus-species charts?

<ol> <li>Overlapping species 2. Changing definitions for an ambiguous term 3. Using parts of the term.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is extension?

A term that is the sum of all the individual objects described by it. Signup and view all the answers

What is intension?

A term that is the sum of all the common attributes denoted by the term. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 3 methods of defining terms?

<ol> <li>Synonym 2. Example 3. Genus-difference.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What does defining by synonym involve?

Giving another word with the same meaning. Signup and view all the answers

What does defining by example entail?

Demonstrating the term; listing several species of the term. Signup and view all the answers

What does defining by genus and difference involve?

Naming the genus and then adding descriptive words distinguishing the term. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 6 rules for defining by genus and difference?

<ol> <li>State essential attributes 2. Should not be circular 3. Should not be too broad or narrow 4. Should not be unclear or figurative 5. State positively if possible 6. Be the same part of speech as the term.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is a statement in logic?

A sentence that is either true or false. Signup and view all the answers

What are 3 types of sentences that are not statements?

<ol> <li>Question 2. Command 3. Nonsense.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What are self-supporting statements?

A statement whose truth value can be determined from the statement itself. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Concepts in Logic

Logic: The science and art of reasoning effectively.
Law of Excluded Middle: A principle stating every statement is either true or false.
Law of Identity: A concept where if a statement is true, it remains true.
Law of Non-Contradiction: A statement cannot be both true and false simultaneously.

Types of Logic

Formal Logic: Focuses on proper reasoning models and structures.
Informal Logic: Addresses reasoning processes indirectly related to formal logic.

Reasoning Techniques

Induction: Involves forming general rules based on specific examples or experiences.
Deduction: Drawing definite conclusions from provided premises.

Branches of Logic

Categorical Logic: Connects categories or terms through syllogisms.
Propositional Logic: Analyzes the relationships between entire propositions within arguments.

Definitions and Terms

Term: A clearly expressed concept.
Definition: An explanation of the meaning of a term.
Purposes of Definitions: Include showing relationships, removing ambiguity, clarifying vagueness, expanding vocabulary, explaining theoretical concepts, and influencing attitudes.

Ambiguity and Vagueness

Ambiguous Word: A word with multiple meanings.
Vague Word: A term with unclear boundaries.
Precising Definition: Clarifies vague terms in specific contexts.
Stipulative Definition: Provides a meaning for new or redefined terms.

Advanced Definitions

Theoretical Definition: Explains technical or philosophical terms that lack understanding.
Persuasive Definition: Aims to sway the listener's perspective toward a term.

Genus and Species

Genus: A broader term that encompasses the original term.
Species: A more specific term included within the broader original term.
Mutually Exclusive: Terms that do not overlap.
Exhaustive: Covers all possible categories without omissions.

Common Errors in Logic

Genus-Species Charts: Avoid overlapping species, changing definitions, and using parts instead of kinds.

Extension and Intension

Extension: The total of all individual objects described by a term.
Intension: The set of common attributes associated with a term.

Methods of Defining Terms

Defining by Synonym: Using another word with the same meaning, which can be problematic if synonyms are unknown.
Defining by Example: Illustrating a term with specific instances, which may lead to ambiguity.
Defining by Genus and Difference: Naming the genus and distinguishing features that set the term apart.

Rules for Genus and Difference

Definitions should clearly express essential attributes, be non-circular, maintain appropriate breadth, avoid ambiguity, be positively stated, and match the term's part of speech.

Statements and Their Types

Statement: A sentence that can be determined as true or false.
Non-statement Types: Questions, commands, and nonsense sentences.
Self-supporting Statements: Truth values ascertainable from the statement itself.

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Test your knowledge of key terms in logic with this flashcard quiz based on Classical Conversations Lessons 1-15. Each card presents a definition to assist in mastering essential concepts in reasoning and critical thinking.