Chapter 2 Flashcards
Pinning down argument structure
Q: What is standardizing and argument?
A: Identifying the conclusion and premises of an argument from a passage and setting them up in a format with premises arranged in logical order, sub-arguments indicated, and the conclusion at the end. All premises and conclusions should appear as complete statements.E.G. Premise 1,Premise 2,Premise 3,Premise N,Therefore,Conclusion
Q: What is a sub argument?
A: A smaller argument within a larger one, in which a premise of a main argument is itself defended.
Q: What is a whole argument?
A: Argument for a main conclusion, including all sub-arguments used to support any premises.
Q: What is a main conclusion?
A: The main claim defended in an argument that contains sub-arguments.
Q: What is a qualified or tentative conclusion?
A: Conclusion stated in such a way that it is reasonable to attribute less than a high degree of commitment to the arguer.
Q: What is the divergent pattern of argument?
A: A pattern of support in which a single premise is used to support two distinct conclusions
Q: What is a linear structure?
A: A structure in which there is a sequence of sub-arguments, each with one premise. That is to say, (1) is put forward to support (2), (2) to support, (3) to support (4) and so on, until we reach the final conclusion.
Q: How to create argument standardization?
A: 1. Read passage carefully
2. Confirm passage has argument
3. Identify main conclusion, premises used to support conclusion, and any sub-arguments
4. Omit side comments, background info, or the setting of context.
5. Omit already included info (no repeating)
6. Omit personal phrases
7. Write arguments in standard form.
E.G Premise (1) Premise (2) therefore, Conclusion (3)
8. Check that each premise and conclusion is a self-contained complete statement.
9. Check that no premise or conclusion itself expresses and argument
10. Check your standardized version against the original to be sure nothing was left out.
Q: What is a rhetorical question?
A: Question posed anticipating a particular answer. A rhetorical question is not a request for information; rather, it is a way of expressing claim. Premises or conclusions or arguments are sometimes stated in rhetorical questions.
Q: What is the scope (of a premise or conclusion)?
A: Quantity of members of a group to which the claim is intended to apply. Scope is indicated by such words as all, none, most, many, some, and a few.
Q: What is a counterexample?
A: A case that refutes a universal statement
Q: What is the degree of commitment (to conclusion)?
A: Level of commitment, on the part of the arguer, to the conclusion that he or she is putting forward. The arguer may claim confidentiality that something is the case or may indicate some degree of tentativeness by saying that it is probably the case, may be the case, or could be the case.
Q: What is a linked support?
A: A kind of support where premises are interdependent in their support for a conclusion; when premises are linked, the removal of one would affect the bearing of the others upon conclusion.
Q: What is a convergent support?
A: A kind of support where premises work together in a cumulative way to support and conclusion but are not linked. The bearing of one premise on the conclusion would be unaffected if the other premises were removed; However, the argument is strengthened when the premises are considered together, since more evidence is then offered.
Q: What is an Unstated, or missing, conclusion?
A: A conclusion not put into words but suggested by the context, wording, and natural logical order of a passage. Note: Unstated conclusions should be added only when there is clear interpretive justification for doing so.
