Stage 2 Philosophy Argument Analysis I think. Therefore I am. I think I think… Therefore I might be.
Types of propositions Metaphysical God exists. All is determined. Opinion That picture was great. Analytical All bachelors are unmarried men. Triangles… Empirical Everest is the highest mountain.
A Clean Slate Preparing food on copper surfaces could prevent thousands of potentially fatal cases of poisoning each year. The stainless steel surfaces often used in the food industry are pitted with microscopic scratches which can harbour bacteria… Research… has shown that at 4 degrees C the common bacterium E. Coli 0157 can survive for 35 days on stainless steel, but lasts less than 14 hours on copper. A Clean Slate Preparing food on copper surfaces could prevent thousands of potentially fatal cases of poisoning each year. The stainless steel surfaces often used in the food industry are pitted with microscopic scratches which can harbour bacteria… Research… has shown that at 4 degrees C the common bacterium E. Coli 0157 can survive for 35 days on stainless steel, but lasts less than 14 hours on copper. C Preparing food on copper surfaces could prevent thousands of potentially fatal cases of poisoning each year. A Clean Slate Preparing food on copper surfaces could prevent thousands of potentially fatal cases of poisoning each year. The stainless steel surfaces often used in the food industry are pitted with microscopic scratches which can harbour bacteria… Research… has shown that at 4 degrees C the common bacterium E. Coli 0157 can survive for 35 days on stainless steel, but lasts less than 14 hours on copper. P1 The stainless steel surfaces often used in the food industry are pitted with microscopic scratches which can harbour bacteria. A Clean Slate Preparing food on copper surfaces could prevent thousands of potentially fatal cases of poisoning each year. The stainless steel surfaces often used in the food industry are pitted with microscopic scratches which can harbour bacteria… Research… has shown that at 4 degrees C the common bacterium E. Coli 0157 can survive for 35 days on stainless steel, but lasts less than 14 hours on copper. P2 Research… has shown that at 4 degrees C the common bacterium E. Coli 0157 can survive for 35 days on stainless steel. A Clean Slate Preparing food on copper surfaces could prevent thousands of potentially fatal cases of poisoning each year. The stainless steel surfaces often used in the food industry are pitted with microscopic scratches which can harbour bacteria… Research… has shown that at 4 degrees C the common bacterium E. Coli 0157 can survive for 35 days on stainless steel, but lasts less than 14 hours on copper. P3 Research… has shown that at 4 degrees C the common bacterium E. Coli 0157 can survive less than 14 hours on copper. P1 Stainless steel surfaces are pitted with microscopic scratches which can harbour bacteria. P2 At 4 degrees C the common bacterium E. Coli 0157 can survive for 35 days on stainless steel. P3 At 4 degrees C the common bacterium E. Coli 0157 can survive less than 14 hours on copper. UP4 Bacterium E. Coli 0157 is potentially fatal. UP5 Food is usually prepared on stainless steel surfaces. C Preparing food on copper surfaces could prevent thousands of potentially fatal cases of poisoning each year. Analysing arguments
How do we think? Inductive thinking Deductive thinking
Inductive thinking
What conclusion can you draw from the phone calls? What explanation can you give for the phone calls? Induction to a generalisation Induction to an explanation
Inductive thinking Induction to a generalisation Student have put rubbish in the bin really well all this week. I’m sure they will tomorrow as well. P1 - Last week I boiled some water and it boiled at 100c. P2 - Yesterday I boiled some more and it boiled at 100c too. P3 - Today when I boiled some water, it boiled at 100c. C - I guess the same thing will happen every time I boil water. Last week I boiled some water and it boiled at 100c. Then yesterday I boiled some more and it boiled at 100c too. Even today when I boiled some water, it boiled at 100c. I guess the same thing will happen every time I boil water.
Inductive thinking Induction to the best explanation
Deductive thinking Syllogism P1 - I am eating an apple. P2 - All apples are fruit. C - I am eating fruit. Fruit Apples X P1 - Water boils at 100c P2 - I am going to boil this jug of water. C - This water will boil at 100c P1 – The earth is a sphere. P2 – A Planet is a sphere. C - The earth is a planet
Arguments Premises – True or False Conclusion Arguments Cogency – An argument is cogent if the premises lead to the conclusion. (Valid/Invalid) Arguments can be Sound or Not Sound Equivocation & Begging the Question Rationally Compelling
Equivocation P1 John is tall. P2 Tall is an adjective. C John is an adjective. Victorian attitude BANNING breastfeeding in parliament – sounds a bit Victorian to me. Paul Harrington Blair Athol
Arguments Premises – True of False Conclusion Arguments Cogency – An argument is cogent if the premises lead to the conclusion. (Valid/Invalid) Arguments can be Sound or Not Sound Equivocation & Begging the Question Rationally Compelling
Reasoning in developing Scientific knowledge Observations Theories or laws Falsification Induction Deduction
Building scientific knowledge P1 When I drop this pen it falls. P2 When I drop this chair it falls. P3 When I drop this book it falls. P4 When I drop this paper it falls. C When I drop things, they fall. Scientific knowledge is built inductively.
Testing scientific knowledge P1 When I drop things, they fall. P2 I am dropping this helium filled balloon. C The balloon will fall. Scientific knowledge is tested deductively P1 Scientific law or theory P2 Specific instance C Result of the law or theory