TRUTH

AND
OPINION
Something is true if...
1.It can be justified or proven through the use of one’s
senses.

2. It is based on facts.

3. It can be applied in real life (tested and

verified).
 In philosophy, an argument is a series of statements (in a natural
language), intended to determine the degree of truth of another
statement, the conclusion.

Composed of:

Claim – the conclusion of an argument

Premise – the reasons to support the conclusion
Opinion
Is a statement of judgement of a person about something in
the world.

-statements of judgement that are in need of further

justification.

• Propositions which are observed to be real or truthful are considered

FACTS.
Let us analyze:

1. It takes me 30 minutes to walk from my home to

school.
2. Living near the school is better because we don’t
have to spend much for transportation.

1. My sister ate the last piece of pizza

2. My sister is a selfish person because she
ate the last piece and didn’t share it with
me.
EXERCISE: Answer A for Fact and B for Opinion.
•1. My Mom likes for me to dress neatly.
•2. I enjoy reading books by Robert Munsch.
•3. Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves.
•4. I think apple pie is the best dessert ever made.
•5. I think Christmas is the best holiday of the year.
6. I think bananas taste wonderful.
7. I feel learning to skate is very difficult
8. My car has four tires.
9. I think the Statue of Liberty is beautiful.
10. We celebrate Valentines Day in February.
11. A quarter is worth 25 cents.
12. I think that oceans are beautiful.
13. George Bush was the president of the U.S.
14. Monkeys are so cute.
15. There are 50 states in the United States
Doubt
- Drives our desire to discover truth
- In philosophy, systematic doubt is employed to
determine truth. Nothing is taken a true unless there is
sufficient reason and evidence to prove that it is true
Fallacies
- A number of arguments based on faulty reasoning.
- They usually come in the guise of well articulated arguments.

1. Argumentum ad Hominem (Argument against the Person)

2. Argumentum ad Baculum ( Appeal to Force)
3. Argumentum ad Msericordiam ( Appeal to Pity)
4. Argumentum as Populum (Bandwagon fallacy)
 1. Argumentum ad Hominem (Argument against the Person)

This fallacy is used when people convince others that someone’s argument
should be rejected because of the person’s personal background – his
history, nationality, race, socio-economic status, family, associations, religion
etc.

2. Argumentum ad Baculum ( Appeal to Force)

This is an argument used by people who want to win a conflict by issuing

threats to their opponents.
3. Argumentum ad Misericordiam ( Appeal to Pity)

This fallacy is also called as appeal to emotion. It is an argument used by people

who want to win people over by manipulating their emotions. This is a favorite
tactic of politicians during campaign period.

4. Argumentum as Populum (Bandwagon fallacy)

This fallacious argumenmt is a favorite marketing strategy by advertising agencies.
It is used by appealing to the popular sentiment of the public. If they want their
product to sell, they will get the most popular personalities to model their product.
Assignment:1/2 crosswise

Give 2 examples of each kind of fallacies based on your

day to day encounter/experiences.