CONTEXT + DIAGRAMMING

Question 1

Ch 3: CONTEXT

Answer 1

Important to identify the context, time, place and circumstance related to arguments or info to fairly assess

Otherwise may judge and react unfairly or too quickly
**Straw man argument:
- form of argument and an informal fallacy of having the impression of refuting an argument, whereas the real subject of the argument was not addressed or refuted, but instead replaced with a false one

Ex. “Spock just not himself lately”
Spock must return to his home planet (Vulcan) within eight days to take part in Pon farr: a mating ritual, or he will die

Ex. Thought experiment: would you consume human remains? Book: Alive
44 people on board, 33 survived when plane crashed
72 days after, only 16 alive

Ex. Fox News and Philadelphia Eagles
- not reliable either as well as not understanding context
- need relevant info

Ex. The cat and broken cookie jar

Question 2

Fairness is the cornerstone of critical thinking

Answer 2

Understanding Context allows us to more fairly assess the information which we are considering

So fairness is directly tied into the amount of information determined and the context in which it is found in light of the way it is understood according to specific biases

(As with biases)

Question 3

THE RULES OF FAIR PLAY FOR CRITICALTHINKING

Answer 3

1. Acknowledge your existing biases and determine how they filter the way in which you see and act in the world.
2. Make every effort to attain enough facts before formulating a position on a particular issue.
3. Make every effort to acknowledge the context in which the facts occur before formulating a position on a particular issue. Use a conditional: “All things considered, this is what I now believe.”
4. Acknowledge that, due to the way in which so many people are biased differently, there are going to be disagreements on many issues.
5. Be open to the possibility of revising your position.

Question 4

Ch 4: DIAGRAMMING

Answer 4

Drawing structure of arguments (literally see yours or another’s argument)

Allows us to represent and visually identify the structure of an argument from the overall conclusion (roof ) to the supporting premises (walls) to the underlying assumptions (foundation)

Question 5

Diagramming allows to identify…

Answer 5

1. The conclusion: The overall main point
2. The premises: The reasons that support the main point
3. The foundational universal criteria that anchor the premises
4. Noise: Factors that may or may not provide context

Question 6

Steps to present argument

Answer 6

*must always determine and separate conclusion from premises

First:
Determine the conclusion
(Overall point is that argument’s presenter wants you to believe)

What remains:
Other components (premises, foundational universal criteria anchoring premises, and context)

Ex.
Big oil companies need to stop drilling wells thousands of feet below the ocean floor. In the Gulf of Mexico, this practice has led to catastrophic devastation of plant life and wildlife. It is unsafe to the workers who operate these wells. And it has cost my family shrimp business thousands of dollars in lost revenue.

• Mr. Smith’s overall conclusion is that oil companies should stop using deepwater drilling
• Why he believes this can be seen in his three premises: it devastates plants and wildlife; it is unsafe to its workers; and it cost his business a lot of money
• No noise
• Underlying assumption: it is unfair and wrong for people to harm humans, animals, and plant life through specific actions—in this case, it was business, in other words, for the purpose of making money
• There may be nothing wrong with making money, but you can’t harm others/other species in doing so

Question 7

Another example of diagramming argument

Answer 7

I like lemons, limes, and oranges. These are all citrus fruits that provide me with the essential vitamin C that my body needs every day in order to remain healthy. (Marge Henderson, Cedar Rapids, Michigan)

• So Marge’s argument resembles a house with her roof (C) as her desire to remain healthy, and her main support being food containing vitamin C (MP1), and the individual supports being lemons (P1), limes (P2), and oranges (P3)

Question 8

Premise indicator words

Answer 8

since, the reason(s) is (are), as indicated by, for, if, as, because, given that, etc.

Question 9

Conclusion indicators

Answer 9

therefore, we may infer that, hence, I conclude that, thus, which shows/reveals that, so, which means that, ergo, establishes, then, implies, consequently, proves, as a result, justifies, follows, supports, etc.

Question 10

The checklist

Answer 10

1. Determine the conclusion or overall point that the person is trying to make. If it is a written argument, underline the conclusion. If the overall point is not clearly stated, it is probably hidden.
2. Consider whether or not the person is using indicator words. If any are present, circle them.
3. Put brackets around and number the various basic or main premises.
4. Create a legend, and adjust the wording of the premises, if necessary.
5. Build a house with the conclusion on top, premises beneath, and assumptions on the bottom.
6. Consider how well the premises satisfied the universal foundational criteria.

Ex. Marge’s Argument:

P1[I like lemons], P2[limes], and P3[oranges]. MP1[These are all citrus fruits that provide me with the essential vitamin C that my body needs every day] (underlined:) in order to remain healthy.