Evaluating Arguments

Evaluating Arguments

PHI347: Critical Thinking

8.9: 7 & 10

7. This is an inductive generalization argument because an inductive generalization argument concludes most of a group that has some features based on evidence. In the sentence it says all students have access to a laptop or computer desktop. This is talking about a particular group which are the students and it is believable because technology has recently been used in education very much. Through this we realize that this is not a very convincing argument. This argument does not have sufficient evidence because it does not give any proof for the statement. Questions such as how students have access and why. Furthermore, this argument does not contain any information that adds to its authority, credibility, or reliability. Overall, this was not a well upheld argument.

10. This argument is a conditional statement because it contains if and then and that is included in most conditional statements. This argument does not seem to be convincing because it states a cause and an effect but no supporting evidence to back it up. This argument contains many knowledge gaps such as where did you get this information, how do you know this will happen, and how you got to this conclusion. In the end, this argument can be better in so many ways. It requires references and articles to prove that this statement is correct and ensure this is the truth.

9.9: Example 1:

This is and inductive generalization argument and a conditional argument because it states that because a Scion xd and others go at at least 25 miles per hour then so should the Scion xd. I find this argument convincing not only because it gives reasons why they believe this, but they also state many examples. This argument seems to have a partial understanding though. To make this idea that we can move forward with it requires sources to show how he/she knows the speed of the cars and how this evidence leads them to that conclusion. It also requires credibility just make sure that the facts are true which would make the argument and conclusion true.

10.9: Example 1:

Finally, this last argument is an inductive general one because it states the majority which means most of a group and it describes one feature, they all have which is exercising regularly. I find this argument convincing because he/she made an actual survey which proves it was true. I think it has a sufficient amount evidence for me to suggest that she move forward with this idea because it has credibility it gains this credibility from it’s survey the survey proves that most of them exercise regularly showing this is a proven fact. All in all, I find this to be a upstanding argument.

Reference

Jackson, D., & Newberry, P. (2016). Critical thinking: A user's manual (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.