Exam 1

Question 1

Ways to be successful in COM 230

Answer 1

• Learn the language of argumentation and debate
• Use all available learning resources
• Avoid stupidity
• Make connections
• Practice mindful use of learning skills

Question 2

Critical Thinking: Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

Answer 2

System 1: Fast; operates automatically and quickly with little effort
System 2: allocates attention to the effortful mental activities that demand it; requires more energy, effort and focus

Question 3

Definitions of argument

Answer 3

Exchange of divergent or opposing views

Set of statements presenting a claim/conclusion & reasons/premises to persuade an audience

Question 4

Logical literacy & making good arguments (deLaplante)

Answer 4

Clarity and precision in language use
Powerful small words
Arrangement of words in a statement
Clear definitions as a tool for reasonable arguments (Johnson)
Vagueness
Ambiguity

Question 5

Deductive arguments

Answer 5

Logical process by which we move from something we already all agree to be true to the application of this general truth to a particular case
Ex: (e.g., Killing people is always wrong; capital punishment involves killing people; therefore, capital punishment is always wrong).

Question 6

Inductive arguments

Answer 6

the logical process in which we proceed from particular evidence to a conclusion which, on the basis of that evidence, we agree to be true or probably true
Empirical reasoning (scientific)

Question 7

Abductive reasoning

Answer 7

logical inference which goes from an observation to a theory which accounts for the observation, ideally seeking to find the simplest and most likely explanation.

Question 8

Syllogism

Answer 8

two statements and conclusion

Question 9

Standard form-syllogism

Answer 9

1. All tigers are mammals
2. Tony is a tiger
   Therefore, Tony is a mammal

Question 10

Hidden assumptions

Answer 10

premises applied rather than stated

Question 11

Categorical Arguments

Answer 11

All & No (none) vs most & some

All x’s are y; 2 is an x. Therefore, y is 2

Question 12

Conditional arguments

Answer 12

If, then statements
If X, then Y
Modus ponens
If Y, then X
Modus tollens

Question 13

Antecedent

Answer 13

the clause that follows the “if” is the antecedent;

Question 14

Consequent

Answer 14

the other clause is the consequent.
the antecedent is a sufficient condition on the consequent and the consequent is a necessary condition on the antecedent.

Question 15

Disjunctive arguments

Answer 15

Either X or Y
Either X is true or Y is true
If X is true then Y is not true

Question 16

Truth condition

Answer 16

Must be plausible

Applies to statements in the argument

Question 17

Logic condition

Answer 17

Glue that binds our premises and conclusions together or ensures our conclusion follows from the premises
Applies to the whole argument
Entailment and follows form

Question 18

Valid argument: validity

Answer 18

Certainty
If the conclusion does not follow the premises it is invalid
Strong argument
High probability
Validity does not equal truth

Question 19

Types of differences to manage in democratic decision making

Answer 19

Use controversial questions and propositions to identify the positions taken by opposing or contrasting sides (affirmative vs negative)
Calls for examining the argument from both sides can present in their cases to avoid confirmation bias and bad arguments

Question 20

Dissoi logoi as contrastic arguments

Answer 20

Helps reduce confirmation bias
Abraham Lincoln spent most of his time thinking about the other sides argument
Aristotle said we must be able to examine arguments on opposing sides
Protagoras: “for every argument there is an equal and weighty counter argument”
Approach to dissoi logoi by protagoras, aristotle and Abraham Lincoln

Question 21

Confirmation bias:

Answer 21

when we only think and read material that supports our side

Question 22

Debate:

Answer 22

using good arguments in seeking a reason-based judgement or decision on a proposition or controversy from an audience of decision makers (3rd party audience)

Question 23

Deliberation:

Answer 23

using good arguments to understand issues and manage differences in making collaborative decisions on a proposition or controversy (audience is those deliberating)

Question 24

Controversy:

Answer 24

a question identifying opposing positions regarding a belief, practice or policy

Question 25

Proposition:

Answer 25

a statement or declarative sentence that (a) indicates the key issues in a controversy regarding a belief, practice or policy and (b) expresses the judgement regarding that issue we are asking decision makers to accept, such as a change to existing belief, practice or policy

Question 26

Status quo:

Answer 26

the existing context, situation or state of affairs about a controversial belief, practice or policy

Question 27

Affirmative position:

Answer 27

those advocating change to an existing belief, practice, or policy (i.e., the status quo) who most often have the burden of proof

Question 28

Audience:

Answer 28

those who will render a decision on the proposition

Question 29

Presumption:

Answer 29

the advantage most often given to the side seeking to maintain the status quo when proposals for change are made

Question 30

Burden of proof:

Answer 30

the obligation of those advocating change to provide sufficient arguments to overcome the presumption of existing beliefs, practices or policies (i.e., the status quo)

Question 31

Burden of response or rebuttal:

Answer 31

the obligation to respond, rebut, or refute arguments that challenge, harm or weaken one’s position

Question 32

Role of the supreme court in interpreting the constitution

Answer 32

Hears arguments, deliberates, and votes to reach majority on case
Uses written opinions to provide rationales for its decisions

Question 33

Protected by the first amendment

Answer 33

Burning the flag, burning crosses, protest at the funeral of a service member killed in combat

Question 34

Not protected by the first amendment

Answer 34

Fighting words
Obscenity 
Child pornography 
Slander
Threats

Question 35

Claims made by holmes and brandeis in their opinions for landmark cases

Answer 35

Abrams vs. United States; Holmes: the best way to prove an idea or thought true is to practice the freedom of speech
Reply: If there is an extreme situation freedom of speech should be checked, otherwise it should be protected
Schenck vs United States; Brandeis: Someone falsely shouting fire and inciting a panic would be an expression that presented a “clear and present danger”
Whitney vs. California; Brandeis: the best remedy for “noxious doctrine” and “evil counsels” is through shared thought.
Dangers of unnecessary or repressive restrictions
Repression breeds hate which creates an unstable government

Question 36

Definition of a case:

Answer 36

a set of well-developed arguments arranged in a structure and presented through a medium appropriate to the audience of decision makers and to the situation in which the case will be presented

Question 37

Invention:

Answer 37

principles for identifying what we could say and deciding what we should say to influence the audience in this situation

Question 38

Arrangement:

Answer 38

principles for structuring and organizing what we should say to influence the audience in this situation

Question 39

Style

Answer 39

principles for using language clearly, appropriately, accurately and vividly to influence the audience (words we use)

Question 40

Memory:

Answer 40

principles for recalling effectively what we planned to say to the audience and to make what we say memorable to the audience

Question 41

Delivery:

Answer 41

principles for using our voice and body to communicate persuasively with the audience (how we say the words)

Question 42

Working outline

Answer 42

For using invention and arrangement

Question 43

Polishing outline

Answer 43

For using arrangement and style

Question 44

Speaking outline

Answer 44

For using memory and delivery

Question 45

Purpose (speech):

Answer 45

what you are trying to do as a speaker

Inform, persuade or entertain

Question 46

Objective

Answer 46

How you want your audience to respond to your presentation

Question 47

Subject

Answer 47

what area of experience is our overall argument dealing with?

Question 48

Focus:

Answer 48

What particular part of this general subject area is your overall argument focusing on?

Question 49

Thesis:

Answer 49

what is the argumentative opinion, central claim, overall conclusion, or proposition from the focus that you want your audience to accept?

Question 50

problem- solution structure

Three claims to use with the problem-solution structure

Answer 50

We are facing a significant problem
I have a solution to that problem
You should implement my solution (thesis)