TFY Chapter 9

Summary

An argument presents a side to an issue of controversy. Questions must be asked regarding what is the viewpoint, what is the issue, whether it is an argument or a report, what is the structure of the argument and what are the strengths and weaknesses. Arguments have either inductive or deductive reasoning. Inductive reasoning draws a conclusion from smaller elements, while deductive reasoning draws conclusions from examples of a main point. Reasoning is used to support the conclusion of an argument. A conclusion is the last step in this reasoning process, but is not necessarily explicit. The reasons may lead to an inference instead. In an argument, a person is attempting to defend a claim in an attempt to persuade. They can be disguised as presentations of the facts in an attempt to slant the argument. A report only states facts, leaving the reader to draw his own conclusions. When evaluating an argument, it is necessary to consider the reasons supporting the conclusion, find hidden assumptions, detect slanted language, find logical fallacies and consider missing, false and contradictory information. I often hear poor arguments when I listen to talk radio in my car. Probably the most common one is over the issue of the “war on terror”. Supporters of former president Bush 43 will argue that because there has not been another terrorist attack on American soil since 9/11, the war is successful. This is a kind of circular reasoning that does not consider the attacks in Spain and Britain, or explain why we are safe when Osama bin Laden is still operating in an area where he is safe. Nor is growing instability in the Middle East considered. The fact that America has not been since 9/11 is a reliable predictor that there will not be another attack in the future.

Exercises

1. Frequent snacks of high-energy food are not harmful to backpackers. Indeed, hikers are found to have more energy and less weariness if they snack every hour.

2. Broadcast television is not appropriate in the courtroom. The relentless pressure of the media threatens the balance between the First Amendment’s press freedom and the Sixth amendment’s fair trial rights.

3. Whereas birth is the cause of celebration, death has become a dreaded and unspeakable issue to be avoided by every means possible in our modern society. Perhaps it is death that reminds of our human vulnerability despite all our technological advances.

4. Do not stop thinking of life as an adventure. You have no security unless you live bravely, excitingly and imaginatively; unless you choose a challenge instead of a competence.

5. There is nothing like the taste of fresh, hot brownies. Bake your with Bakelee’s Brownie Mix.

6. Not doubt you should have the right to allow a patient to die. No doctor is God.

7. Videos are a good way to entertain children. You can control what you watch, and there are many worthwhile films to choose from.

8. Since the 1920s, sperm counts have decline among American men. The underlying factors are uncertain, but the factors of stress and toxic chemicals are being considered.

9. If only one percent of car owners did not use their cars for one day a week, they would save 42 million gallons of gas a year and keep 840 tons of CO2 out of the atmosphere.

10. Because of their greater use of prescription drugs, women turn up in hospital room more frequently than men.