Purposes Of Argument

Question 1

What are arguments used for?

Answer 1

Justification, persuasion, explanation, prediction, generalization

Question 2

Must an argument persuade to be a good argument?

Answer 2

No, because the argument may not be intended to persuade; also, anyone can decide not to be persuaded

Question 3

Must an argument give good reasons to persuade?

Answer 3

Not necessarily, since a person may already believe the conclusion, or not need anything more than an emotional push to change their mind

Question 4

What are Aristotle’s 4 kinds of explanations?

Answer 4

causal, teleological, formal, material

Question 5

Give an example of a causal explanation?

Answer 5

why did the bridge collapse? B/c the earthquake shook it

Question 6

Give an example of a teleological explanation

Answer 6

why did Joe go to the grocery store? To buy milk

Question 7

Give an example of a formal explanation

Answer 7

why doesn’t peg fit in round hole? It’s square

Question 8

Give an example of a material explanation

Answer 8

why is the golf club light? It’s made of graphite

Question 9

Can we justify belief in a conclusion w/o explaining why it’s true?

Answer 9

Yes, we can say Wikipedia says so, ie, appeal to authority but not give the natural law that explains it