Glossary of Terms
Argument – A formal way to using supporting statements (premises) to draw a conclusion.
Conclusion – The statement in an argument that the premises claim to support.
Deductive Argument – An argument in which the arguer claims that it is impossible for the conclusion to be false given that the premises are true.
Epistemology- The formal study of how knowledge is obtained.
Inductive Argument- An argument in which the arguer claims that it is improbable that the conclusion is false given that the premises are true.
Law of Non-Contradiction (LNC) – The basic law of logic which states that two opposite propositions cannot both be true at the same time and in the same sense. X cannot = -X.
Logic- The science that evaluates arguments.
Fallacy-A defect in an argument arising from some source other than merely false premises.
Premises-A statement in an argument that sets forth evidence.
Proposition- The information content of a statement.
Sound Argument – A deductive argument that is valid and has all true premises.
Syllogism – A deductive argument consisting of two premises and one conclusion.
Valid Argument – An argument in which it is impossible for the conclusion to be false given that the premises are true.
Virtue – A praiseworthy habit. There are both moral virtues (e.g. courage, forgiveness) and intellectual virtues (e.g. studiousness, open mindedness).