Language and Logical Thinking (Ch. 7)

Problems with Language We have looked at different ways that arguments go wrong Deductive arguments failed when the conclusion was not necessarily true, even thought the premises are assumed to be true Non-deductive arguments failed when supported by insufficient evidence or the wrong kind of evidence. Another way that both deductive and non-deductive arguments can fail is when they do not pay close attention to language used to state them Ch. 7 looks at ways that arguments fail because of poor language use Poor language use prevents a good rational discussion from happening

Problems with Language in Arguments 1 Chapter 7: part I

Ambiguity Ambiguity: a word that has multiple meanings is ambiguous. “pass”: to throw in sports (football, basketball) to overtake a car to flirt (to make a pass at someone) Example: “I am against taxes that hinder economic growth” “taxes”: all taxes or only specific taxes associated with the bill Ambiguous claims are often made in advertising, politics to avoid or obscure what one intends to mean An argument is faulty when it appears to use the same word but with different meanings at different points.

Vagueness Vagueness: words that have one meaning but are not precise or unclear Example: Michael Jordan is tall; tall man compared to every other person, every other man or every other NBA basketball players? Sheridan College has a large campus; large for the neighbourhood, large compared to other colleges, large compared to all schools? I am coming home soon. “soon” meaning 1 minute or 2 hours? It is not clear which, so we cannot determine whether the claim is true or false.

Equivocation Equivocation: an argument that equivocates uses a word in an ambiguous way, with one meaning in one portion of the argument and then another meaning in another portion of the argument. Example: Noisy children are a real headache. Two aspirin will make a headache go away. Therefore, two aspirin will make noisy children go away. I  don't see how you can say you're an ethical person. It's so hard to get you to do anything; your work ethic is so bad

Definitional Problems with Arguments 2 Chapter 7: part II

Defining Terms in Arguments Rule of Thumb: always define central words and concepts in your argument Arguments can go wrong when words are not properly defined Example: Rap music objectifies Music that objectifies should be censored So, rap music should be censored

Getting Clearer by Defining RAP Define Rap Music. Popular rap; gangster rap; socially conscious rap; christian rap; are all or only some of these part of the definition of RAP. Define Objectification Define Censored Legally, so that no one can purchase the album. Under 17only, children? Censored, as in, the album should not be encouraged to adults or children --- but no legal penalties or prevention of sale

What Problems are Faced without Good Definitions? Arguments can be misapplied, taken to apply to more or less than was intended Communication can fail; the argument the audience hears is not the one that the speaker intended The argument can be unclear; against, this can lead to different conclusions depending on how one understands the specific words