Philosophical Terminology Tutorial

Key Philosophical Terms: A Tutorial

• A proposition is a statement that makes a claim.
• There are two types of propositions: synthetic statements (matters of fact) and analytic statements (playing with ideas).
• Synthetic statements are where the predicate isn't found in the subject, while analytic statements are where the predicate is found in the subject.
• Propositions can be known through a priori reasoning (in our minds alone) or a posteriori reasoning (through experience).
• An argument is an attempt to prove a proposition through reason and logic.
• Premises are steps in an argument that tie together to form a conclusion.
• A syllogism is a classical form of an argument with two premises and a conclusion.
• Deductive arguments mean the conclusion must be true if the premises are true and the logic is valid.
• Inductive arguments suggest a probable conclusion based on evidence.
• Knowledge gained through a priori reasoning is often analytic while knowledge gained through a posteriori reasoning is often synthetic.
• Understanding philosophical terminology is useful for essay writing and reading about philosophy.
• Arguments in philosophy are not like arguments with friends - there are no losers, only winners and learners.