Lecture 6

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Symbolic and Critical Reasoning - IAP 101

Descriptive Assumptions

Todays Class
Review What Are the Value Conflicts and Assumptions? - Ch. 5 What are the Descriptive Assumptions? - Ch. 6 In Class Reflection

The Critical Questions!!!


1. What are the Issue and the Conclusion? 2. What are the Reasons? 3. What Words or Phrases are Ambiguous? 4. What are the Value Conflicts and Assumptions?

Review - Chapter 5
Whenever we make an argument there are always hidden values and assumptions. Values - the unstated ideas that people see as worthwhile. Assumption - an unstated belief that supports the argument. Reasons + (VALUES/ASSUMPTIONS) = Conclusion Reasons + Conclusion = Argument

Loyalty - Honesty

Review - Chapter 5

Should you tell your parents that your brother is doing drugs? Order - Freedom of Speech Should we punish people with radical ideas? Generosity - Material Success Should we be concerned about poor people? Tradition - Novelty Should divorces be easily available?

Speeding is a big problem on Payap Universitys campus. Obviously, people are not being responsible and driving slowly. Therefore, Payap needs more speed bumps. Speeding is a big problem on Payap Universitys campus. Obviously, people are not being responsible and driving slowly. (C) Therefore, Payap needs more speed bumps. This author values Payaps authority over individual responsibility. Value Assumption: Authority over Individual Responsibility

Lets Discuss!
There are many beggars in the markets and streets of Thailand. Wealthy people should donate their money to support them instead of just saving up all their money. 1. What is the Value Assumption? (What does the author believe should happen?) 2. What is the Value Conflict? (What value is placed above another?)

What are the Descriptive Assumptions - Ch. 6 Remember:


Descriptive issues - Ask about the accuracy of descriptions about the world/reality Why do students procrastinate? What do college students believe about God? Prescriptive issues - Ask what we should do or what is right or wrong. Should parents be more involved in students lives? What ought to be done to improve Payap?

What is a Descriptive Assumption?


Value Conflicts and value assumptions deal with Prescriptive Arguments (The way the world should be) Descriptive Assumptions are beliefs about the way the world is! It is an unstated belief about how the world was, is, or will become. For example...

The Honda Click 2010 will get you where you want to go. I have driven older models of the Honda Click on multiple occasions. (C) The Honda Click 2010 will get you where you want to go. I have driven older models of the Honda Click on multiple occasions. The Honda Click 2010 will get you where you want to go. I have driven older models of the Honda Click on multiple occasions. No Value Assumptions - because a value assumption is an unstated belief or idea. (A belief about the way the world should be!)

The Honda Click 2010 will get you where you want to go. I have driven older models of the Honda Click on multiple occasions. What are the Descriptive Assumptions? (Beliefs about the way the world is!) Descriptive Assumption: The Honda Click has a consistent quality. This information was not provided in the argument. If this assumption is true, then the reason is true. Descriptive Assumption: How I drive is the same way you will drive.

Clues for finding Descriptive Assumptions


1. Think about the gap between the reasons and the conclusion. What do you need to believe in order to believe this reason? 2. Try to identify with the author. Whats going on in his or her mind? How does he or she view the world? 3. Really question if the reasons match the conclusion. Keep it relevant (ex. The author believes the reasons are true of course the author does!)

Everyone should consider playing poker to win money. It has gained great popularity. You can see people play on television daily, and there are many opportunities to play against real people online. This trend is an exciting opportunity for people everywhere to try and win money. Poker is simple to learn after one understands the rules and concepts behind the game. It is a game that people of all ages and experience can play!

What is the conclusion? Everyone should consider playing poker to win money. It has gained great popularity. You can see people play on television daily, and there are many opportunities to play against real people online. This trend is an exciting opportunity for people everywhere to try and win money. Poker is simple to learn after one understands the rules and concepts behind the game. It is a game that people of all ages and experience can play!

What is the conclusion? (C) Everyone should consider playing poker to win money. It has gained great popularity. You can see people play on television daily, and there are many opportunities to play against real people online. This trend is an exciting opportunity for people everywhere to try and win money. Poker is simple to learn after one understands the rules and concepts behind the game. It is a game that people of all ages and experience can play! What are the reasons?

(C) Everyone should consider playing poker to win money. 1. It has gained great popularity. You can see people play on television daily, and there are many opportunities to play against real people online. This trend is an exciting opportunity for people everywhere to try and win money. Poker is simple to learn after one understands the rules and concepts behind the game. 2. It is a game that people of all ages and experience can play! What is the descriptive assumption? (Descriptive assumptions are unstated belief about how the world is)

1. It has gained great popularity. THEREFORE (C) Everyone should consider playing poker to win money. What does the author mean when he says its popular? Descriptive Assumption: Poker is enjoyable (because its popular). AND Enjoyable means profitable. Different from ambiguity what is the definition of popular? 2. It is a game that people of all ages and experience can play! Descriptive Assumption: Because you CAN play means you SHOULD play.

In Class Reflection
We should not make contraceptives available in public schools. Such use will only serve to increase promiscuity among young children. What is the conclusion? What is the reason? What are the descriptive assumptions?

We should not make contraceptives available in public schools. Such use will only serve to increase promiscuity among young children. (C)We should not make contraceptives available in public schools. Such use will only serve to increase promiscuity among young children. Descriptive Assumptions? Children are naturally promiscuous. Children are NOT promiscuous only because contraceptives are not easily available.

Homework
Study for Tuesday's Quest!!!

Arguing the Opposite


A Good Argument: Global warming is good for humanity. Every man and woman should own a gun. NOT A GOOD ARGUMENT: I like candy Should I be a pilot when I grow up? You must STATE the opposite of what you believe.

Arguing the Opposite


5 minute oral presentation You must have an introduction, reasons, and conclusion. Try to eliminate ambiguous words You will be graded on believability, structure, and clarity

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