Philosophy & ethics · Grades 9–12
Valid arguments, assumptions and ethical tradeoffs · revision notes
A deductively valid argument has a form in which true premises guarantee the conclusion. Validity does not itself prove the premises true.
Key ideas and conditions
Validity
A deductively valid argument has a form in which true premises guarantee the conclusion. Validity does not itself prove the premises true.
Soundness
A sound deductive argument is valid and has true premises. Identify assumptions rather than concealing them.
Ethics
Consequences, duties, rights and fairness can offer different perspectives on a decision. A reasoned answer makes its criteria explicit.
Dialogue
Represent opposing views accurately and distinguish critique of reasoning from attacks on people. Some questions permit multiple defensible positions.
Explain without looking
- What is a hidden assumption?
- Why might two careful ethical analyses reach different conclusions?
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