Essential Logic: The Logical Fallacies—Course Introduction (Preview Content)

Dr. Christopher Perrin introduces this course on the logical fallacies, or informal logic. He distinguishes formal from informal logic and then presents the main approaches to the course, which will involve exploring, classifying, and creating fallacies as a way to mastering them.

Outline of Session

(00:00) Dr. Perrin introduces the video series.

(00:42) Dr. Perrin clarifies the nature of informal logic. It is an “art” and deals with levels of probability and occurs in everyday speech.

(01:07) Formal logic (deductive logic) deals with syllogisms and can deliver greater levels of certainty.

(02:17) Arguments in informal logic are either strong or weak.

(02:40) “Argument” comes from the Latin word argumentum, which means to make something clear on the basis of reason or evidence.

(03:30) We should be humble and treat others with respect even as we argue with them and seek to persuade them.

(05:01) Dr. Perrin introduces the 3 main concepts of the book. Fallacies in informal logic can be summarized under the headings of: relevance, presumption, and clarity.

(05:11) The main question in any debate—What is the issue at hand? This question leads to examining whether statements are committing fallacies of relevance, presumption, or clarity.