WGU D265 Definitions- Questions and Answers

Proposition A statement that can be true or false, like "The sun rises in the east," think of it as a "truth possibility." Example: "The Earth is flat" is a proposition, and it could be either true or false. Non-proposition A statement that isn't about truth or falsity, like questions or commands, think of it as "not about truth." Example: "What time is it?" is a non-proposition because it's a question. Argument Is like a debate; it's a set of statements aiming to support the conclusion. Example: In a debate, "Cats are great hunters (premise), and Fluffy is a cat (premise), so Fluffy must be a great hunter (conclusion)" is an argument. Non-argument Is just a collection of statements, not trying to persuade, think of it as "statements hanging out." Example: A recipe listing ingredients and instructions isn't trying to persuade; it's a non-argument. Premise Is like the building blocks of an argument; it's a statement used as evidence or support. Example: In a detective story, "The footprint matches the suspect's shoe (premise)" is evidence in an argument. Conclusion Is like the verdict; it's the statement in an argument that's being argued for, think of it as "what we're trying to conclude." Example: In a courtroom, "Based on the evidence, the defendant is guilty (conclusion)" is what the argument aims to prove. Deductive Argument Is like a puzzle with precise steps; it's when the conclusion absolutely must be true if the premises are true. Example: "All men are mortal (premise); Socrates is a man (premise); therefore, Socrates is mortal (conclusion)" is a deductive argument, think of it as a "definite conclusion." Inductive Argument is like a detective's hunch; it's when the conclusion is likely to be true based on evidence but not guaranteed.