PhilosophyLesson 1 of 5 in the course Logic and Reasoning

Methods of Philosophical Inquiry: Arguments, Logic, and Evidence

5 flashcards · 4 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Philosophy uses reasoned inquiry to examine questions that do not yet have definitive answers. This lesson introduces logic, philosophical argument, and dialectics as methods for moving toward truth.

Philosophers aim to get closer to the truth, but philosophy often concerns questions for which there is no settled method of finding a definitive answer. Bertrand Russell suggested that when definite knowledge about a subject becomes possible, that subject may become a separate science.

All flashcards

What is logic?
Logic is the study of proper reasoning; it helps assess whether reasons support conclusions and whether beliefs are consistent.
What is a philosophical argument?
A set of reasons offered in support of a conclusion, not necessarily a quarrel.
What is dialectic?
Collaborative inquiry in which people with differing views use questions and reasons to investigate an issue.
Who are interlocutors?
The participants in a dialectical discussion.
What does a counterexample do?
It presents a case that challenges a proposed answer or general claim.

Quiz questions

  1. In philosophy, what is an argument?Answer: A set of reasons offered in support of a conclusion.
  2. What is a hypothesis?Answer: A proposed explanation for an observed phenomenon.
  3. How should the strength of a conclusion relate to its evidence?Answer: The conclusion should not claim more than the evidence supports.
  4. What does the law of noncontradiction state?Answer: A claim and its negation cannot both be true at the same time and in the same sense.

Based on Introduction to Philosophy by Nathan Smith (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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