10/28/09 BR- What is the most important factor in winning an argument 10/28/09 BR- What is the most important factor in winning an argument? Today: Logic and How to Argue (Part 1)

Most people say, “ I like to argue. ” or that they are good at arguing Most people say, “ I like to argue.” or that they are good at arguing. But what do they mean?

What makes this person’s argument different..

From this persons?

Most of the time when people argue they use poor logic, false reasoning or rely on emotion to “win” an argument. In this class we will try to learn to argue using logic and reason to reach a point of truth or understanding.

Important Question: What is the difference between perception and reality?

What do we think or wish is there

What is there in reality.

Much of our world operates on perception and non-reality in order to affect reality. This is illogical. Understanding how to view the world logically is incredibly liberating, frightening, and empowering.

Ask yourself: What do I know for sure? What do I know because someone told me about it? How do I know what I know? How would my world change if what I was told was wrong? How much control of my life do I have?

What do you know about..

What do you know about..

What do you know about..

What do you know about..

3 Types of Arguments: Ethos- Establishing a reason to listen or believe the speaker. E.g., “that guy is wearing a tie so he must know what he’s saying.” Pathos- appealing to the emotions of people, using emotional language or creating emotional responses in the audience. E.g., “If you don’t agree with me you must hate America.” Logos- logical reasoning (see next)

Logic- from Classical Greek λόγος (logos), originally meaning the word, or what is spoken, (but coming to mean thought or reason) is most often said to be the study of criteria for the evaluation of arguments to determine if they are fallacious or valid. - Logical argumentation uses reason and solid evidence or data.

In this class you may use pathos and ethos in your speaking but argumentation without logos(logic) is not effective. How many times have you seen an argument where the winner is determined by: who can yell the loudest and longest, or who can intimidate the other person (physically or by other means) People use pathos and ethos very effectively in irrational arguments. Irrational arguments seldom produce truth.

Making A Logical Argument 1st, we need to understand some terms Making A Logical Argument 1st, we need to understand some terms. Premise: a fact or statement assumed to be true. E.g., Socrates is a man. Valid Argument: if the premises are true then the conclusion is true. Invalid Argument: if the premises are true but conclusions may not be true.

Deductive reasoning: reasoning in which the conclusion is necessitated by, or reached from, previously known facts. If the premises are true, the conclusion must be true. All P are Q A is P Therefore, A is Q

Examples of Valid Deductive Reasoning Since Socrates is a man,and since all men are mortal,Socrates is mortal. Since the picture is above the desk,and since the desk is above the floor,the picture is above the floor. Since an eagle is a bird,and since all birds have wings,an eagle has wings. If all parts are true the argument is said to be Sound.

Examples of Invalid Deductive Reasoning A truly left wing politician does not tolerate animal cruelty. G. Houseman thinks hitting a dog is wrong. G. Houseman is a truly left wing politician. Every criminal opposes the government. Everyone in the opposition party opposes the government; therefore, everyone in the opposition party is a criminal.

Inductive Reasoning More open than deductive reasoning Inductive Reasoning More open than deductive reasoning. It is based on what can be observed and using those observations to make a general conclusion. It is not as solid as deductive(closed) reasoning. Inductive(open) reasoning is divided into strong and weak inductions or induction.

Examples of Strong Induction Reasoning All the crows I’ve seen are black therefore all crows are black. Most healthy dogs I’ve seen have 4 legs therefore all healthy dogs have 4 legs

Examples of Weak Inductive Reasoning I always hang pictures on nails therefore all pictures hang from nails. Teenagers are given many speeding tickets therefore all teenagers speed. An inductive argument is said to be cogent (good) if the conclusion is probable.

In General- Deductive Reasoning is black and white In General- Deductive Reasoning is black and white. Inductive Reasoning is shades of grey. Both can be good or logical ways to argue.

Assignment 1. Write an explanation for the following terms: Ethos, Pathos, Logos(logic), premise, valid, invalid, deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, sound, cogent 2. Give 2 examples of both valid and invalid deductive reasoning. 3. Give 2 examples of both strong and weak inductive reasoning. You can draw a picture if it helps!

Vocabulary Journal #2 9/17-21 Ethos, Pathos, Logos, Premise, Valid, Invalid, Deductive Reasoning, Sound Argument, Inductive Reasoning, Cogent Inductive Reasoning