Raise your hand to get a syllabus, if you don't already have one. Presentation: "Arguments" Please turn off all cell phones! Fall 2010 PHI 120 Room Change: Sec 009 CB 346

Homework for Next Lecture Read J/H, Introductory Logic – Chapter 2, pp Answer "review questions," p. 47: 1-3, 6, 9-10 – may be collected by your recitation instructor Homework assigned last class: – Read Chapter 1 – p. 22 Answer “review questions," p.22: 1, 4 – 8, 10

Class Web Site Important documents Presentations Available Sunday Before Class Daily schedule (Including Exams) tilde – rsand -- onephi

Grading 3 exams= 60% – 20% each of total grade – Administered in the lecture classroom Quizzes/Homeworks = 40% – Administered in recitation sections 20% - quizzes 20% - homework Total=100%

Grading Attendance/Participation: mandatory – +3% for perfect attendance – no penalty for only one unexcused absence – -2% for every subsequent unexcused, up to 10% –  7 unexcused absences = 50% deduction

Read the lecture and recitation syllabi carefully!

Introduction Logic and Argument

Introductory Logic, PHI 120 PHI 120 Introductory Logic

What is an argument? Does abuse play any role in rational argumentation? Is contradiction an argument? Is mere contradiction bad argumentation? What is a good argument? What sort of intellectual process is argumentation?

Definitions Argument – a set of statements connected together in such a way that the truth of one statement is claimed to follow from at least one (other) statement – Properties of a Statement 1.Subject-predicate form 2.Either true or false What is a phone? Turn off your phones! vs. A phone is a wooden object having only two dimensions. or The phone rang in the classroom. What is a phone? Turn off your phones! vs. A phone is a wooden object having only two dimensions. or The phone rang in the classroom. Statements are either true or false.

Logical Arguments “Arguments” that are not logical – Mr Barnard: WHAT DO YOU WANT? – Man: Well, I was told outside that... – Mr Barnard: Don't give me that, you snotty-faced heap of parrot droppings! – Man: What? – Mr Barnard: Shut your festering gob, you tit! Your type really makes me puke, you vacuous, coffee-nosed, maloderous, pervert!!! – Man: Look, I CAME HERE FOR AN ARGUMENT, I'm not going to just stand...!! – Mr Barnard: OH, oh I'm sorry, but this is abuse. An argument is a collected series of statements to establish a definite proposition. not abuse a good argument is more than just contradiction? What is a good argument? next lecture

Statements in an Argument Every argument contains one conclusion and at least one premise

Statements in an Argument Every argument contains one conclusion and at least one premise – Conclusion: the statement whose truth is claimed to follow from some evidence More than a one conclusion, more than one argument – Premise(s): provide evidence in support of a conclusion being true “If you are a UK student, you must fulfill the logic-inference USP requirement. You are a UK student. So you must fulfill the requirement.”

Argument Analysis

The Argumentative Passage Non-argumentative elements a)Explanatory passages b)Opinion unsubstantiated by any reference to evidence for it being true c)Warnings d)Etc. "Freedom of religion might provide the right to build the mosque in the shadow of Ground Zero, but common sense and respect for those who lost their lives and loved ones gives sensible reason to build the mosque someplace else." Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Greene of Florida "Freedom of religion might provide the right to build the mosque in the shadow of Ground Zero, but common sense and respect for those who lost their lives and loved ones gives sensible reason to build the mosque someplace else." Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Greene of Florida

The heart of an argument is its conclusion First step in argument analysis: Identify the conclusion Our aim: argument analysis Identify main conclusion Lay out premises (evidence) in support of that conclusion Our aim: argument analysis Identify main conclusion Lay out premises (evidence) in support of that conclusion

Clue Words Identifying the conclusion and premises

Clues to Argument Form If you don’t study, you’ll do poorly in this class. Congratulations. You got an A. Since you did well, I conclude you must have studied. Common indicator words – Conclusion: therefore, thus, hence, consequently, so – Premise: because, since, for, given

Clues to Argument Form If you don’t study, you’ll do poorly in this class. Congratulations. You got an A. Since you did well, I conclude you must have studied. Common indicator words – Conclusion: therefore, thus, hence, consequently, so – Premise: because, since, for, given

Argument Form If you don’t study, you’ll do poorly in this class. Congratulations. You got an A. Since you did well, I conclude you must have studied. Note: "Congratulations" is an interjection and not part of the argument. Note: "You got an A" is the same as "you did well." The Form of this Argument Premises: (1) If you don't study, you'll do poorly in this class (2) You did well. Conclusion: (3) You must have studied.

Argument Analysis Diagramming

1.Representation of argument form – Structure of support Independent Joint – Extended arguments 2.Technique of analysis – A useful device for making sense of complicated pieces of reasoning

(1) If you don’t study, then you will do poorly in this class. (2) However, you got an A which is excellent. (3) Hence you must have studied. Joint Support Structure

Another Example

(1) Since apes don’t have language, (2) they can’t reason.

Independent Support Structure

More Complicated Example

One last example 1) Since apes don’t have language, and (2) language is necessary to be able to reason, (3) it follows that apes can’t reason. (4) For their speech pathways are too underdeveloped in their brains. An extended argument

1) Since apes don’t have language, and (2) language is necessary to be able to reason, (3) it follows that apes can’t reason. (4) For their speech pathways are too underdeveloped in their brains.

Summary 1.Any argument is composed of statements – one conclusion – a number of premises 2.Argument Analysis i.Identify the (main) conclusion ii.Diagram 3.Diagramming A.Structures: 1)Independent 2)Joint B.Extended arguments

Homework for Next Lecture Read J/H, Introductory Logic – Chapter 2, pp Answer "review questions," p. 47: 1-3, 6, 9-10 – may be collected by your recitation instructor Homework assigned last class: – Read Chapter 1 – p. 22 Answer “review questions," p.22: 1, 4 – 8, 10