Discussion 1 : Final paper

Final Argument Paper   This final assignment is designed to involve all of the main skills that you have learned during this course. In particular, your paper should demonstrate the ability to construct a deductively valid or inductively strong argument, clearly and accurately explain your reasoning, use high-quality academic sources to support the premises of your argument, fairly and honestly evaluate contrary arguments and objections, and identify fallacies and biases that occur within the arguments or objections presented.  You will continue to build on the arguments that you are presented in your previous two papers. In particular,, you will present a final improved version of your argument for your thesis that you begin for the Week One Assignment and fully address the objection that you developed for your Week Three Assignment. You will need to research a minimum of three scholarly sources from the Ashford University Library. (For further information about discovering and including scholarly research, take a look at the FindIt@AU Tutorial (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. instructional resource.)  Write: in your paper •Explain the topic you are addressing and your position on it. Provide a preview of your paper and a statement of your thesis in your opening paragraph. [Approximately 100 words] ◦For help crafting a good thesis statement (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., go to the Ashford Writing Center (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..  •Present your main argument for your thesis in standard form, with each premise and the conclusion on a separate line.Clearly indicate whether your argument is intended to be inductive or deductive. Follow up the presentation of your argument by clarifying the meaning of any premises that could use some explanation. [About 150 words] ◦If your argument is deductive, then it should be valid (in the strict logical sense of the word); if it is inductive, then it should be strong. Make sure to avoid committing logical fallacies within your argument (e.g., begging the question). Additionally, the premises should be true, to the best of your knowledge. If one of your premises has a pretty obvious counter-example, then you should either fix the argument so that it does not have this flaw, or later, in your paper (steps three through five) you should address the apparent counter-example (showing that it does not really refute the truth of your premise). Arguments that are not valid, not very strong, commit fallacies, or that have counter-examples that are not adequately addressed will not receive full credit.  •Provide supporting evidence for the premises of your argument. [Approximately 350 words] ◦Pay special attention to those premises that could be seen as controversial. Evidence may include academic research sources, supporting arguments (arguments whose conclusions are premises of the main argument), or other ways of demonstrating the truth of those premises. This section should include at least one scholarly research source.  •Explain a strongobjectionto your argument. [Approximately 250 words] ◦Study what people on the other side of this question think about your reasoning and present the best possible objection that someone could have to your argument. Do not commit the straw man fallacy here. Reference at least one scholarlyresearch source. See the “Practicing Effective Criticism” section of Chapter 9 of the course text for more information.  •Defend your argument against the objection. [Approximately 200 words] ◦Once you have presented the objection, indicate clearly how you might respond to it. It is acceptable to admit that reasonable people might disagree with you or that there might be an area in which your argument could be further strengthened, but you should do your best to explain why your argument is sound or cogent despite the objections.  •Provide an appropriate conclusion. [Approximately 75 words] ◦For guidance about how to develop a conclusion see the Introductions and Conclusion (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. resource from the Ashford Writing Center.   For further instruction on how to create arguments, see the How to Construct a Valid DeductiveArgument (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. and Tips for Creating an Inductively Strong Argument (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. documents as well as the Contructing Valid Arguments Video (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. For an example of a completed Final Paper, see the Annotated Example The Ethics of Elephants in Circuses (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. Let your instructor know if you have questions about how to complete this paper.  NeedWritingHelp.jpg

Discussion 1

Week 5, prompt option #5: The Value of Logic in Life  One of the advantages of learning logic and critical thinking is that it can benefit all areas of one’s life. The ability to research all sides before arriving at a position on an issue, the humility to consider opposing points of view in a fair minded way, the wisdom to evaluate the quality of reasoning for and against decisions, the capacity to recognize and avoid logical fallacies, and the skill to be able to construct effective reasoning all can benefit one’s life by helping one: To arrive at positions that are most justified by the evidence (and therefore more likely to be true), to make decisions with a more comprehensive perspective of the different points of view, to better understand other people’s perspectives, to be more clear and persuasive in one’s reasoning, and to avoid making decisions that are not carefully thought through and to make decisions that are rationally justified.     Reflect: This discussion will discuss specific ways in which the study of logic and critical thinking can benefit you in your personal life. Some general categories you might consider are: ◦Performing at the highest level in your education ◦Achieving your potential in your career ◦Effectively using your time and skills ◦Intelligently managing your finances ◦Making responsible investments/purchases ◦Not falling for scams of any kind ◦Improving personal relationships ◦Correcting bad habits and developing good ones ◦Choosing a path in life that one finds most personally fulfillment ◦Or another relevant possibility  Write: In your response, present and explain at least two areas of your life that can be benefitted by using logic and critical thought (you may choose from the list above or use another area of life). Then provide at least one specific example each of how logic and critical thought can be applied to those areas of life (one example was given in the interactive exercise from week one, of how you could use logic to demonstrate to your boss that you deserve a raise). Conclude by discussing in more general terms how the further application of these skills can provide you will more success and fulfillment in that area of life.   