Philosophy (Critical Thinking) Test 1
Argument
A group of statements in which some of them (the premises) are intended to support
another of them (conclusion)
Conclusion
In an argument, the statement that the premises are intended to support.
Critical Thinking
The systematic evaluation or formulation of beliefs, or statements, by rational standards.
Explanation
A statement or statements intended to tell why or how something is the case.
Indicator Words
Words that frequently accompany arguments and signal that a premise or conclusion is
present.
Inference
The process of reasoning from a premise or premises to a conclusion based on those
premises.
Logic
The study of good reasoning, or inference, and the rules that govern it.
Premise
In an argument. at statement, or reason, given in support of the conclusion.
Statement
An assertion that something is or is not the case.
Appeal to Common Practice
The fallacy of accepting or rejecting a claim based solely on what groups of people
generally do or how they behave (when the action or behavior is irrelevant to the truth of
the claim).
Appeal to Popularity (or to the masses)
The fallacy of arguing that a claim must be true merely because a substantial number of
people believe it.
Peer Pressure
Group pressure to accept or reject a claim based solely on what one's peers think or do.
Philosophical Skepticism
The view that we know much less than we think we do or nothing at all.
Philosophical Skeptics
Those who embrace philosophical skepticism.
Social Relativism
The view that truth is relative to societies.
Stereotyping
Drawing an unwarranted conclusion or generalization about an entire group of people.
Subjective Relativism
The idea that truth depends on what someone believes.
Subjective Fallacy
Accepting the notion of subjective relativism or using it to try to support a claim.
Worldview
A philosophy of life; a set of beliefs and theories that helps us make sense of a wide
range of issues in life.
, Affirming the Antecedent
A valid argument form: (Modus Ponens)
If p, then q.
p.
Therefore, q.
Affirming the Consequent
An invalid argument form:
If p, then q.
q.
Therefore, p.
Antecedent
The part of a conditional statement (if p, then q.), the component that begins with the
word if.
Cogent Argument
A strong inductive argument with all true premises.
Conditional Statement
An "if-then" statement; it consists of the antecedent (the part introduced by the word if)
and the consequent (the part introduced by the word then).
Consequent
The part of a conditional statement (if p, then q) introduced by the word then.
Deductive Argument
An argument intended to provide logically conclusive support for its conclusion.
Denying the Antecedent
An invalid argument form:
If p, then q.
Not p.
Therefore, not q.
Denying the Consequent
A valid argument form: (Modus Tollens)
If p, then q.
Not q.
Therefore, not p.
Dependent Premise
A premise that depends on at least one other premise to provide joint support to a
conclusion. If dependent premise is removed, the support that its linked dependent
premises supply to the conclusion is undermined or completely canceled out.
Disjunctive Syllogism
A valid argument form:
Either p or q.
Not P.
Therefore, q.
Argument
A group of statements in which some of them (the premises) are intended to support
another of them (conclusion)
Conclusion
In an argument, the statement that the premises are intended to support.
Critical Thinking
The systematic evaluation or formulation of beliefs, or statements, by rational standards.
Explanation
A statement or statements intended to tell why or how something is the case.
Indicator Words
Words that frequently accompany arguments and signal that a premise or conclusion is
present.
Inference
The process of reasoning from a premise or premises to a conclusion based on those
premises.
Logic
The study of good reasoning, or inference, and the rules that govern it.
Premise
In an argument. at statement, or reason, given in support of the conclusion.
Statement
An assertion that something is or is not the case.
Appeal to Common Practice
The fallacy of accepting or rejecting a claim based solely on what groups of people
generally do or how they behave (when the action or behavior is irrelevant to the truth of
the claim).
Appeal to Popularity (or to the masses)
The fallacy of arguing that a claim must be true merely because a substantial number of
people believe it.
Peer Pressure
Group pressure to accept or reject a claim based solely on what one's peers think or do.
Philosophical Skepticism
The view that we know much less than we think we do or nothing at all.
Philosophical Skeptics
Those who embrace philosophical skepticism.
Social Relativism
The view that truth is relative to societies.
Stereotyping
Drawing an unwarranted conclusion or generalization about an entire group of people.
Subjective Relativism
The idea that truth depends on what someone believes.
Subjective Fallacy
Accepting the notion of subjective relativism or using it to try to support a claim.
Worldview
A philosophy of life; a set of beliefs and theories that helps us make sense of a wide
range of issues in life.
, Affirming the Antecedent
A valid argument form: (Modus Ponens)
If p, then q.
p.
Therefore, q.
Affirming the Consequent
An invalid argument form:
If p, then q.
q.
Therefore, p.
Antecedent
The part of a conditional statement (if p, then q.), the component that begins with the
word if.
Cogent Argument
A strong inductive argument with all true premises.
Conditional Statement
An "if-then" statement; it consists of the antecedent (the part introduced by the word if)
and the consequent (the part introduced by the word then).
Consequent
The part of a conditional statement (if p, then q) introduced by the word then.
Deductive Argument
An argument intended to provide logically conclusive support for its conclusion.
Denying the Antecedent
An invalid argument form:
If p, then q.
Not p.
Therefore, not q.
Denying the Consequent
A valid argument form: (Modus Tollens)
If p, then q.
Not q.
Therefore, not p.
Dependent Premise
A premise that depends on at least one other premise to provide joint support to a
conclusion. If dependent premise is removed, the support that its linked dependent
premises supply to the conclusion is undermined or completely canceled out.
Disjunctive Syllogism
A valid argument form:
Either p or q.
Not P.
Therefore, q.
