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Edited for an entry as reference, for academia.edu, April 22, 2022
PIRIE, MADSEN (2006)(2015) How To Win Every Argument, Bloomsbury, London.
Contradictory premises
'The problem with contradictory premises is that they cannot both be true. If one is true, the other must be false, and vice versa. In other words, we can be certain that at least one of them must be false, and cannot generate a sound argument.' (69).
Dr. Russ is an atheist
Dr. Russ is a biblical Christian
We do not need to see the conclusion here, we already reasonably know, that at least the premises are contradictory. One premise might be true, but not both. A valid argument can have a false premise. (69). As long as the premise (s) are not true and the conclusion false, it is logically possible to have a valid argument.
Premise-Conclusion
TT, FF, FT, TF
A true premise (s) and false conclusion (TF) from these combinations, cannot possibly be logically valid.
However, as Pire recognizes, a sound (true) argument has all true premises. (69). It has a true conclusion.
The classic 'the moon is made of green cheese' (69), is documented as a valid premise, but not a premise in a sound (true) argument. It is not reasonable from empirical, scientific evidence that the moon is made of green cheese, but it is not an illogical premise as such.
I have coached my friends that in arguments, when one disagrees with the conclusion, deny a premise first, if that can be reasonably, truthfully done. This pulls the carpet. It prohibits one from being dragged into accepting a questionable conclusion after hastily accepting premises and then having to philosophically backtrack...
Premise
You want to get married right?
Here many would state, yes.
My answer, if I am clued in to a likely philosophically lazy conclusion:
No. I am not interested in (just) getting married. I would like to marry with mutual spiritual, intellectual and physical attraction in Christ.
Conclusion
Therefore, you have to play the game the way society and the church states and marry within the rules.
Yes, I have had this attempted on me more than once...
PIRIE, MADSEN (2006)(2015) How To Win Every Argument, Bloomsbury, London.
Contradictory premises
'The problem with contradictory premises is that they cannot both be true. If one is true, the other must be false, and vice versa. In other words, we can be certain that at least one of them must be false, and cannot generate a sound argument.' (69).
Dr. Russ is an atheist
Dr. Russ is a biblical Christian
We do not need to see the conclusion here, we already reasonably know, that at least the premises are contradictory. One premise might be true, but not both. A valid argument can have a false premise. (69). As long as the premise (s) are not true and the conclusion false, it is logically possible to have a valid argument.
Premise-Conclusion
TT, FF, FT, TF
A true premise (s) and false conclusion (TF) from these combinations, cannot possibly be logically valid.
However, as Pire recognizes, a sound (true) argument has all true premises. (69). It has a true conclusion.
The classic 'the moon is made of green cheese' (69), is documented as a valid premise, but not a premise in a sound (true) argument. It is not reasonable from empirical, scientific evidence that the moon is made of green cheese, but it is not an illogical premise as such.
I have coached my friends that in arguments, when one disagrees with the conclusion, deny a premise first, if that can be reasonably, truthfully done. This pulls the carpet. It prohibits one from being dragged into accepting a questionable conclusion after hastily accepting premises and then having to philosophically backtrack...
Premise
You want to get married right?
Here many would state, yes.
My answer, if I am clued in to a likely philosophically lazy conclusion:
No. I am not interested in (just) getting married. I would like to marry with mutual spiritual, intellectual and physical attraction in Christ.
Conclusion
Therefore, you have to play the game the way society and the church states and marry within the rules.
Yes, I have had this attempted on me more than once...
