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What is an argument (in philosophy)?
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All Flashcards in Topic 11.1
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11.1.111 cards
What is an argument (in philosophy)?
Premises (reasons) offered to support a conclusion — not a quarrel.
Premise vs conclusion?
A premise is a reason; the conclusion is the claim the reasons support.
Premise vs conclusion signal words?
Premises: because, since, for. Conclusions: so, therefore, thus, hence.
Deductive vs inductive argument?
Deductive: true premises make the conclusion certain. Inductive: they make it likely.
What is validity?
The conclusion follows logically from the premises — about the form, not the truth.
What is soundness?
A valid argument whose premises are also true. Sound arguments are hard to reject.
Valid but not sound — example?
'All cats can fly; Milo is a cat; so Milo can fly.' Valid form, but a false premise.
What is a hidden premise?
An unstated assumption an argument relies on — dragging it into the open lets you test it.
The Nyaya five-step inference?
Indian logic: claim, reason, rule+example, apply, conclude — it shows the general rule, not just the conclusion.
How do you build an argument?
State the claim, give real reasons, check the form (valid?), check the truth (sound?).
Two ways to reject an argument?
Show the form is broken (invalid), or show a premise is false (unsound).
Topic 11.1 study notes
Full notes & explanations for Constructing arguments
Philosophy exam skills
Paper structures, command terms & tips
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