Modus ponens arguments are always valid based on their logical structure, which ensures the conclusion logically follows from the premises.
However, for an argument to be both valid and sound, the premises must also be true. Validity refers to the argument’s structure ensuring the conclusion follows from the premises, while soundness refers to the argument’s validity plus the actual truth of the premises.
Continue reading: Is modus ponens always valid?
A premise is the basis for an argument. It is a foundational element upon which further conclusions or deductions are made. Premises play an especially important role in syllogisms, which express deductive reasoning.
A few synonyms for premise are “assumption,” “assertion,” and “hypothesis.”
Continue reading: What is the definition of premise?
A basic premise is a fundamental assumption or principle that serves as the foundation of an argument or theory. Basic premises are often implicit and taken for granted, serving as starting points from which logical deductions or inferences are made (e.g., “We assume, as a basic premise, that causing unnecessary suffering is morally wrong).
Continue reading: What is the meaning of basic premise?
The plural form of premise is “premises.”
Here is an example of how “premises” can be used in a sentence:
“In a syllogism, it is crucial that both premises support the argument’s conclusion.”
Continue reading: What is the plural form of premise?
Binary thinking, or black-and-white thinking, involves categorizing ideas, people, and situations into two distinct, often opposite, groups. “Binary” in this context refers to a classification system that acknowledges only two possibilities, ignoring a spectrum that exists in between. This bias can lead to logical fallacies such as the either-or fallacy.
Continue reading: What is binary thinking?
In psychology, the term splitting describes a defense mechanism that involves thinking about people in extreme terms (e.g., seeing a person as completely good and later deciding that person is completely evil). Whereas black-and-white thinking is a cognitive bias that pertains to reasoning and affects humans in general, splitting involves human relationships and is associated with specific mental health conditions.
Thinking in extremes makes people susceptible to logical fallacies that involve exaggerated and simplistic representations of an issue, such as the false dilemma fallacy.
Continue reading: What is splitting in psychology?
Nuanced thinking involves recognizing that situations, ideas, and individuals are complex and typically have a combination of strengths and weaknesses, allowing for flexibility, understanding, and appreciation of diverse viewpoints and interpretations.
This is closely related to the idea of “seeing shades of gray,” an idiom often used in contrast to black-and-white thinking. This metaphor conveys the idea of considering and acknowledging multiple perspectives, recognizing complexities and nuances rather than interpreting everything in extreme terms.
Continue reading: What is nuanced thinking?
The opposite of black-and-white thinking is often referred to as seeing “shades of gray” or recognizing nuance. This mindset involves appreciating subtleties and complexity and acknowledging a spectrum of possibilities.
Pushing back against the cognitive bias of black-and-white thinking enables us to form deeper and more balanced judgments about the world. Appreciating nuance and complexity helps us guard against logical fallacies such as false dichotomies.
Continue reading: What is the opposite of black-and-white thinking?
Analogical reasoning is sometimes considered a subcategory of inductive reasoning because it involves generalizing from specific instances to derive broader principles or patterns. However, some argue that analogical reasoning is distinct from induction because it involves drawing conclusions based on similarities between cases rather than generalizing from specific instances.
Along with abductive reasoning, they are forms of ampliative reasoning (in contrast to deductive reasoning).
Continue reading: Is analogical reasoning a form of inductive reasoning?
Analogical reasoning and the representative heuristic both involve making judgments based on similarities between objects or situations, but there is a key difference:
Continue reading: How is analogical reasoning different from the representative heuristic?
