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LIBERTY PHIL 201 - Study_Guide_Lesson_6

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PHIL 201STUDY GUIDE: LESSON 6Analyzing ArgumentsLesson OverviewIn our final lesson on logic and arguing, we discuss the tasks of constructing and analyzing an argument. Throughout the rest of this course, you will be introduced to a variety of theories that attempt to answer some puzzling philosophical questions. These theories will argue for a particular way to answer the questions, and you will want to be able to evaluate those arguments to see if you agree with them or not. This lesson will give you a tactical approach in how to perform the tasks of analyzing and evaluating arguments as well as how to construct an argumentof your own.TasksView and take notes on the video “Analyzing Arguments.” It aims to orient you to the main issues in the reading.Read and take notes from Chapter 7 of Prelude to Philosophy: “Analyzing Arguments.” As you read, make sure to understand the following points and questions:1. Why is clarity important for a good argument? be clear in what you are defining, about the structure of your reasoning and how the premise lead to a conclusion--clearly communicate your thoughts and ideas to others and avoid using emotionally loaded language and cliché--avoid vagueness and ambiguity2. What is the difference between consistent and coherent?--Consistency means that within a set of beliefs none of them contradicts the others--Coherence means that beliefs relate together in a way that is mutually supportive3. What determines how comprehensive an argument needs to be?Good arguments consider all known reasonable alternatives and arguments for a view andcan account for them as part of the overall argument. Should have at least have an answerprepared for challenges and alternatives if raised4. What are the 2 basic approaches to structuring an argument? They either state the conclusion first followed by the premise or they will state the premise and then follow with a 'therefore' type of conclusion5. Explain the idea of fair use of evidence. don't hide or suppress ideas that don't follow your particular view6. What is a positive/negative approach and what is the advantage of using it? --this argument presents both positive evidence for what they are supporting, but also negative for the view they are opposing.--if you can show that not only does your view have good evidence but also the opposing view is weak then your argument is much stronger7. What is the advantage of a best explanation approach?8. List and explain the 5 aspects of a best explanation. --the best explanation will have the largest explanatory scope (considers the quality of facts accounted for by an explanation)Page 1 of 4PHIL 201--will also have superior explanatory power (vagueness and ambiguity)--it will be plausible (the explanation fits into the background knowledge)--its minimally ad hoc (an explanation that is created for the situation at hand)--illumination- the ability of an explanation to provide light on related areas besides the question at hand9. What is the principle of simplicity and what is a danger concerning it?Doesn't contain unnecessary assumptions and reasoning. The danger of it is we may become too simplistic. We need to keep our explanation as simple as necessary while realizing that even the simplest explanation may need to be extensive and difficult10. What is the very first task in analyzing an argument? Find the conclusion11. What are 3 ways to find the conclusion in an argument? --look for indicator terms (therefore, thus, henceforth)--remember that most of the time the conclusion is either the first or the last sentence of an argument--ask what the main point of the argument is 12. What is the common standard logical order for an argument? Premise first, conclusion last13. Why do we ask about the premises supporting the conclusion before asking about the truthfulness of the premises? If the conclusion doesn't follow the premise then it doesn't matter whether the premise are true or not.14. What are the 2 reasons arguments fail? Either the conclusion doesn't follow the premise or the premises themselves are not true.15. How does observing language help us to determine the reliability of the premises? We areoften subtly manipulated into affirming or rejecting ideas by language in which those ideas are presented to us. we need to see weather claims are accurate, precise, and clear16. What is meant by examples being representative? What is a counterexample? counterexamples- an example that refutes the ones that have been suggested in support ofthe conclusion. They have the function of weakening an argument by showing that the conclusion does not necessarily follow17. Explain the problems of unqualified and conflicting authorities and how to resolve them. Just because an authority is considered an authority in one area does not make one an authority in all areas. If you are going to argue by authority, you should attempt to arrive at a consensus of authorities avoid using conflicting and unqualified authorities.18. What are some of the traps to watch out for when arguing causally? watch out for: identification for one cause for an event, only asserting a causal connection, random events that are coincidentalPage 2 of 4PHIL 201TermsMake sure you fully understand the following terms and concepts:- Consistency- In a set of beliefs none of them contradict the others. - Coherence- The beliefs relate togetherin a way that is mutually supportive. - Comprehensive- Takes all relevant facts into account and attempt to address all the known problems.- Explanatory Scope- Considers the quantity of facts accounted for by an explanation- Explanatory Power- The explanation that can be understood with the least amount of effort, vagueness and ambiguity has the best explanatory power. - Plausible- The explanation fitting withour background knowledge- Ad Hoc- An explanation that is created for the situation at hand. - Illumination- The ability of an explanation to provide light on related areas besides the question at hand. - Occam’s Razor- An explanation was usually the best when it did not contain unnecessary assumptions and baggage. He used this principle to cut away all of those ideas that be believed were not necessary. - Indicator Terms- Words that appear before the conclusion and indicate thatit is coming. Therefore, thus, so, hence, accordingly, and consequently. - Inferential Link- What is the main point the arguer is trying to make?- Counterexample- an example that refutes


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