PHIL 210 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1-2: Modus Tollens, Modus Ponens, John Stuart Mill
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Soundness when all premises are true, as well as all of them are valid. Validity when an argument meets the structural requirements that the conclusion is absolutely certain to be true provided all the premises are true. Inference the thinking process through which premises lead us to conclusions. Assertions to undertake the obligation to defend or retract the assertion in the face of questioning/evidence to contrary. Arguments the exchange of assertions/questioning then becomes the argument. Explanation if the assertion is known by the audience, it is considered an explanation (to make better sense of something that is already believed): causal explanation; describing the prior conditions that caused some event. Pseudo explanation; labeling an answer that will require further information and cause more questioning. Contingent truth example there is no such thing as a purple elephant. (could be sufficiently true if there is a stuffed purple elephant).