Questions answer

Read the article on climate change and farmers by David Biello.

1) Explain why some farmers, for example Dave Miller, an Iowa corn farmer is not convinced that we are experiencing climate change on a global scale caused by human activity. Explain what his (or like-minded farmers’) reasoning is. As you explain their argument, try to determine what their claim, warrants, evidence and premises or backing are. Is their reasoning primarily deductive or inductive, explain. (12 pts)

2) Supposing you were a scientist from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, what would you say (how would you construct an argument) to convince a farmer such as Dave Miller that we are experiencing large scale climate change due to human activity? Describe your argument, by providing both the content of your argument and the analysis, i.e. What is your claim, warrant(s), evidence, backing and counter-argument (qualifier) and rebuttal. Also state which parts of your argument are deductive or inductive. What are your recommendations for farmers in view of climate change? (12pts)

Read through the following arguments and state if they are inductive or deductive and why. (16pts)

1. When the doorbell rings, there is usually someone at the front porch. I just heard the doorbell ring, so when I open the door, there will probably be someone there.

2. The Defense of Marriage Act violates Equal Protection guaranteed by the constitution. Therefore, the Defense of Marriage Act is un-constitutional.

3. Humans create CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) and N20 (Nitrous Oxide) and Methane gasses from industry, cars, and farming. CO2, N2O and Methane become trapped in the atmosphere causing it to heat. If humans reduce their production of these gasses, this source of heat would be reduced, causing a similar reduction in atmospheric temperature.

4. I have seen many otherwise normal people act crazy during a full moo, so during this next full moon some people will be acting crazy!

5. & 6. Create your own inductive and deductive arguments on a topic or topics of your choice.

(E.g you can use a social issue, such as death penalty, legalization of marijuana, voting age, etc.. or a science or ethical type of argument for example.) (20 pts)

5. Inductive Argument

6. Deductive argument

Extra Credit: 2 pts: Why are arguments using statistics usually considered to be inductive? Explain including at least one specific example.