Unit 3 - phil

what is the goal of analyzing an argument?

to understand its structure so we can evaluate it properly

what is the first step when analyzing an argument?

identify the conclusion

what is the second step when analyzing an argument

identify the premises

why do we identify the conclusion first

because everything else is supporting it

what is standard form

writing arguments as numbered premises and conclusions

why is standard form important

it makes structure clear and easier to evaluate

put into standard form:

social media increases loneliness. Loneliness harms relationship. so social media harms relationships

1. social media increases loneliness

2. loneliness harms relationships

3. social media harms relationships (1,2)

medical research promotes we being. what is the likely implicit conclusion?

medical research should be funded

medical research promotes well being. what is the implicit premise?

anything that promotes well being should be funded

what is a simple argument

one inference from premises to conclusion

what is a complex argument

multiple linked arguments

what is an intermediate conclusion

a conclusion that becomes a premise for another conclusion

lying hurts people. anything that hurts people is wrong. therefore lying is wrong. so you shouldnt lie. How many conclusions?

two

lying hurts people. anything that hurts people is wrong. therefore lying is wrong. so you shouldnt lie. what supports the final conclusion?

the intermediate conclusion (lying is wrong)

what should you remove when analyzing arguments

extra words, filler, and irrelevant content

why do we reformulate sentences

to turn them into clear claims

studies show social media increases loneliness. therfore it harms relationships. what is missing?

an implicit premise (loneliness harms relationships)

why do arguments include implicit premises?

they assume the audience already accepts them

what 3 things must you always identify

1. premises

2. conclusion

3. structure

university is expensive. many successful people didnt go to university. therefore university is useless. so you shouldnt go. what is the intermediate conclusion and final conclusion?

intermediate is university is useless and final is you shouldnt go

university is expensive. many successful people didnt go to university. therefore university is useless. so you shouldnt go.which presmises support the intermediate conclusion?

premises is unversity is expensive and many successful people didn't go to university.

why do complex arguments use intermediate conclusions?

to build a chain of reasoning towards a final conclusion

if you remove an intermediate conclusion, what happens?

the argument loses logical support/structure

social media causes loneliness. loneliness is harmful. this shows social media is harmful. therefore it should be restricted. how many total claims?

4

social media causes loneliness. loneliness is harmful. this shows social media is harmful. therefore it should be restricted. Which claim is doing double duty (both premise and conclusion)?

social media is harmful

exercise improves mood. so everyone should exercise. What is missing?

implicit premise (improving mood is a good reason to exercise)

violent crime is rising. we must increase surveillance? What is the hidden surveillance?

increased surveillance will reduce crime

Convert to standard form: phones distract students. Distracted students perform worse. so phones reduce performance, and should be banned in class.

1. phones distract student

2. distracted students perform worse

3. phones reduce perfomance (1,2)

4. phones should be banned (3)

what is a commen mistake when writing standard form?

mixing order or missing support links

another common mistake when writing standard form?

treating an intermediate conclusion as a final one

why is identifying structure more impotant that understanding content?

because logic determines whether the reasoning works

if an argument sounds persuasive but lacks structure, what does that mean?

it may not actually be a good argument