Unit 1

Question 1

Logician’s definition of “Argument”?

Answer 1

An argument is a group of statements that consists of reasons put forward in support of an opinion. The reasons given in support of the opinion are called PREMISES, and the position thus supported is called the CONCLUSION of the argument

Question 2

Two senses of arguments?

Answer 2

Verbal dispute - Without giving arguments in the sense of “Reasons to back up positions” - Insults, confrontation

Opposing arguments - In the sense of giving “reasons to support opposing opinions” - Spirit of co-operation, more interested in solving an issue or problem or reaching mutual agreement

Question 3

Four worries about approaching ideas critically?

Answer 3

-People who want to trade arguments with them are just trying to show them up and make them look foolish - Try to make themselves look better, more clever, at expense of others

-Reasoning is simply rationalization

• Reason is just a tool or instruments for justifying whatever it is that someone wants to do

-Logic is little more than trickery - just as you can use statistics to prove anything, so you can use logic to prove whatever you wish to prove-People who put forward arguments to try to get other people to believe certain things are simply trying to force, coerce, indoctrinate, or brainwash them

Question 4

Cederblom & Paulsen - How do they approach critical reasoning? What are the two contrasting activities used to describe their approach?

Answer 4

Both active and open to alternative points of view. (1)Passive reading or listening (as in thecase of students who expect a lecturer to fill them with information - Don’t evaluate, simply accept, no doubts or rejections, don’t consider lecturer’s pattern of reasoning) and

(2) mere disagreement (as in the case of a combative person who is notwilling to take seriously the reasons and opinions offered by other people).Mere disagreement is applied to separate, individual statements, and theyare judged solely against the background of the reader’s or listener’s own beliefs.

Question 5

What is involved in Socratic method/Socratic dialogue?

Answer 5

Socratic method or Socratic dialogue involves constantly scrutinizing beliefs and asking whether they are justified bythe reasons put forward in their support.

Question 6

Cederblom & Paulsen - Two benefits of critical reasoning

Answer 6

1. First, not all disputes in which you engage are with other people. Perhapsthe most important dialogues that occur in your mental development are the ones you have with yourself. In a conversation with yourself, unless habits of reasoning have been well established, it is easy to choose theposition that is the most comfortable or the most self-serving, rather than theone that is the most reasonable
2. the practice of critical reasoning can promote substantial social values. it can provide defense against our vulnerability as citizens in a society in which experts are increasingly important.

Question 7

Cederblom & Paulsen - What are deductive arguments?

Answer 7

Premises that are linked together so that (if theyare linked in a correct pattern) the conclusion follows necessarily from all of the premises. These are called deductive arguments. (Premise 1 = A; Premise 2 = If A, then B; Conclusion = B)

Question 8

Cederblom & Paulsen - What are convergent arguments?

Answer 8

Premise 1= a; Premise 2 = b; Premise 3 = c; Conclusion = d

Question 9

What is discursive writing?

Answer 9

Discursive writing is a particular type of non-fiction writing, which proceeds by reason or argument.

Question 10

What is the 4-step method for taking a critical approach to any piece of discursive writing?

Answer 10

1. Determine the topic of the passage
2. Identify any arguments or theories present in the passage
3. Analyze the arguments/theories
4. Evaluate each argument and theory within the passage, and, finally, the passage as a whole.

Question 11

Define the word “argument” when writing a passage

Answer 11

An author is presenting an argument if she gives reasons for believing in something or for acting in a certain way. No matter how strongly a point of view is presented, there is no argument unless reasons are provided.

Question 12

Examples of “Indicator” words to spot an argument

Answer 12

Because, therefore, hence, since, it follows that, so “blahblahblah”, etc.

Question 13

What is Diatribe?

Answer 13

Diatribe is bitter and violent criticism or invective. (Invective = insulting, abusive, or highly critical language.)

Question 14

What is the difference between argument and explanation?

Answer 14

When we give arguments, we are trying to prove or demonstrate something,
whereas when we give explanations, we are trying to say why or how something that is already known (or thought to be known) to happen or to be the case happens or is the case.

This distinction suggests that
the best way to determine whether a passage contains an argument or an explanation is to ask yourself whether the author is trying to prove something or trying to get you to understand why something is the
case or how something happens.

Question 15

Define argument analysis

Answer 15

In general terms, to analyze is to
distinguish the parts or elements of a whole, and to specify their relations to one another. The analysis of arguments involves
distinguishing all the premises and conclusions of a given argument, and indicating which conclusions are arrived at on the basis of which
premises.

Question 16

Examples of “Conclusion Indicators”? (ch. 2 textbook)

Answer 16

So - Thus - Therefore - Hence - We can conclude that - Consequently

Question 17

Principle of Charitable Interpretation means:

Answer 17

Principle of Charitable Interpretation: When more than one interpretation
of an argument is possible, the argument should be interpreted so that the premises provide the strongest support for the conclusion.