Topic 3- Using Statistical Statements

Here we will learn how what we shall call statistical generalizations can be utilized in arguments.
 

Section 1: Some Kinds of Statements

  • Generalizations

    • If we are to classify arguments so as to be able to assess them, we will quite often find it necessary to classify various kinds of sentences. Two kinds of statements or sentences will be focussed on initially. The first statement is the kind that we shall call a universal generalization; the second is the kind we shall call a statistical generalization. 


    Section 2: Statistical Syllogisms

  • Basic and Comparative

    • Statistical syllogisms are one of the standard means whereby we use statistical statements to draw conclusions about individuals. So one premise is always a statistical generalization mentioning a reference class and a target class. Another premise states that a particular object is a member of the reference class. The conclusion is then that that object is (or is not) a member of the target class.
    We then introduced comparative statistical syllogisms. These involve two reference class and two individuals. If red wine is more likely to cause a hangover than is white wine, then I, who will drink red wine this evening, am more likely to have a hangover than are you, who will drink white wine this evening.

    Section 3: Specific Kinds

  • Authority and Consensus

    • In this section we discussed some kinds of arguments that can be viewed as special cases of statistical syllogisms. Our focus was upon both individual and collective arguments from authority and arguments from consensus. It is typically not too difficult to identify the use of such an argument, but assessing them, particularly arguments from authority is a very complex matter.  

    Section 4: Ad Hominems

  • Abusive, Circumstantial and Tu Quoque

    • Here we introduce abusive and circumstantial ad hominems and what we called tu quoque arguments. We took abusive ad hominems as having a premise that states that a person with some aspect of character (in which we included physical traits, mannerisms and the like more often than not says something false when speaking regarding a particular area. Circumstantial ad hominems refer to circumstances such as ethnic origin, membership in an an organization and the like rather than to aspects of character. Recall that our account differs from many in that we do not automatically classify every ad hominem argument as fallacious.

    Quizzes

    Covering Sections 1 and 2

  • Quiz 1
  • Quiz 2

    • Covering Sections 3 and 4

  • Quiz 3

    • Comprehensive

  • Quiz 4
  • Quiz 5