Analyze the following argument by paraphrasing the propositions to reveal the premisses
and conclusion.
We should prosecute people
who steal copyrighted material. Taking someones artistic creation without paying
for it deprives the artist of a deserved royalty. Lacking a reasonable royalty
the artist cannot survive. Artistic creations are precious commodities
deserving of support. We support artists by purchasing their creations.
Answer
Premisses
1. Artistic creations are
precious commodities.
2. We support artists by
purchasing their creations.
3. Taking someones artistic
creation without paying for it deprives the artist of a deserved royalty.
4. Lacking a reasonable
royalty the artist cannot survive.
Conclusion
Therefore, we should
prosecute people who steal copyrighted material.
2.
Analyze the following argument by numbering the
propositions and diagramming its
structure to reveal the relationship between the premisses
and conclusion.
Professional athletes are
paid way too much money. A family with an average income cannot afford to go to
most sporting events. In addition, many professional athletes are criminals and
do not deserve our adulation. This is why we should boycott professional
sports.
Answer
[1] Professional athletes are paid way too much money. [2] A
family with an average income cannot afford to go to most sporting events. In
addition, [3] many professional athletes are criminals and do not
deserve our adulation. This is why [4] we should boycott
professional sports.
The first three propositions
are premises. Each of which
independently supports the conclusion that we should boycott professional
sports. A diagram would look like this:
1 2
3
4
In each of the following
passages, identify and number all propositions, paraphrasing as needed to fill in
unstated propositions and to reformulate rhetorical questions and imperatives.
Identify the premisses and conclusions and diagram
the structure of the argument.
1.
Gasoline prices will not go down. Under the new
administration we will get additional oil from once protected parts of
Hint: Look for the conclusion first. Determine whether the premisses work independently or dependently. Look for
interwoven arguments. Look for rhetorical questions and unstated propositions.
Answer
[1] Gasoline prices will not go down. [2] Under the new
administration we will get additional oil from once protected parts of
Diagram:
2 3
4
1
2.
Dont you know that driving without a
seat-belt is dangerous? Statistics show that you are 10 times more likely to be
injured in an accident if you are not wearing one. Besides, in our state you
can get fined $100, if you are caught
not wearing one. You ought to wear one even if you are driving a short
distance.
Hint: Look for the conclusion first. Determine whether the premisses work independently or dependently. Look for
interwoven arguments. Look for rhetorical questions and unstated propositions.
Answer
[1] Driving without a seat-belt is dangerous [rephrased
rhetorical question]. [2] Statistics show that
you are 10 times more likely to be injured in an accident, if you are not wearing one. [3] Besides, in our state you can get fined $100 if
you are caught not wearing one. [4]You ought to
wear one even if you are driving a short distance.
Diagram:
2
1 3
4
3.
Jean studied at least 10
hours for the exam and she got an A. Bill studied at least 10 hours for the exam
and he got an A. Sue studied at least 10 hours for the exam and she got an
A. Jim probably got an A on the exam.
Hint: Look for the conclusion first. Determine whether the premisses work independently or dependently. Look for interwoven
arguments. Look for rhetorical questions and unstated propositions.
Answer
[1] Jean studied at least 10 hours for the exam and she
got an A. [2] Bill studied at least 10 hours
for the exam and he got an A. [3] Sue studied
at least 10 hours for the exam and she got an A. [4]
Jim studied at least 10 hours for the exam. [unstated premiss]. [5] Jim probably
got an A on the exam.
Diagram:
1
2 3
4
5
[[ 1,
2, and 3 work together to support 5Jim probably got an A on the
exam. 4 support 5 independently. If the conclusion is As long as one
studied at least 10 hours for the exam and one got an A. then 1, 2, 3,
and 4 work together to support the conclusion. And 4 would be Jim studied
at least 10 hours for the exam and he got an A on the exam.]]
Try It! 1.6
[[Requires word processing
tool]]
For each of the following passages,
decide which is an argument and which an explanation. decide
whether an argument or an explanation is being given.
1.
He did not come to class
today. It must be because he is ill.
Hint: An argument attempts to establish the truth of some
proposition by offering evidence in support of it. An explanation attempts to
account for a fact already known to be true.
Answer
It is a fact that he did not
come to class. His being ill is offered as a possible explanation for the fact.
2.
The last time Clint Eastwood
won an Oscar was for a western he directed. He will probably direct another
western soon, so he has a chance to get another Oscar.
Hint: An argument attempts to establish the truth of some
proposition by offering evidence in support of it. An explanation attempts to
account for a fact already known to be true.
Answer
The first proposition states
a fact, but the second one does not
try to explain that fact. Rather, the first proposition is being used as a premiss, to
support a prediction (the conclusion)
about what Clint Eastwood will do.
3.
There are a lot of people
getting into weird mystical cults lately. It must be because they are
disappointed with traditional religions.
Hint: An argument attempts to establish the truth of some proposition
by offering evidence in support of it. An explanation attempts to account for a
fact already known to be true.
Answer
The first proposition states
what is believed to be a fact, and the second proposition tries to provide an explanation for that fact.
4.
The cost of computers has
dropped incredibly in the last few years. It will probably keep going down in
the near future as well.
Hint: An argument attempts to establish the truth of some
proposition by offering evidence in support of it. An explanation attempts to
account for a fact already known to be true.
Answer
The first proposition states
a fact, and based on that fact, a prediction is being made. The first
proposition is therefore being used as a premiss to support the conclusion (the prediction).
5.
The cost of home computers
has dropped incredibly in the last few years. Im sure its because the cost of
producing microchips has plummeted.
Hint: An argument attempts to establish the truth of some
proposition by offering evidence in support of it. An explanation attempts to
account for a fact already known to be true.
Answer
The first proposition states
a fact, but in this case it does not
support the second proposition. Rather, the second proposition is used to offer
an explanation of the fact stated in
the first proposition.
Diagram the structure of the following complex
argumentative passage.
Since you are going to have
to work for a living for most of your life, you should get into an occupation
that you enjoy. Of course, it is not
always possible to correctly predict how you will like a certain
occupation. Sometimes a career looks
good from the outside, but when you actually do it for a while it loses its
appeal. Getting a broad education allows you to gain general skills applicable
to many careers. Sometimes specializing too early locks you
into a field that you may not like later on in life. These are some of
the reasons why getting a liberal arts education can be a good decision.
Answer
[1] Since you are going to have to work for a living for
most of your life, [2] you should get into an
occupation that you enjoy. [3] Of course, it is
not always possible to correctly predict how you will like a certain
occupation. [4] Sometimes a career looks good
from the outside, but when you actually do it for a while it loses its appeal. [5] Getting a broad education allows you to gain
general skills applicable to many careers. [6]
Sometimes specializing too early locks you into a field that you may not like
later on in life. [7] These are some of the
reasons why getting a liberal arts education can be a good decision.
1 3
4 5 + 6
2
7
[[No need +]]