LOGIC & ARGUMENTATION Continued…

F IRST WE HAD S YLLOGISMS & Enthymemes – major, minor and middle terms…

T HEN THERE WAS T OULMIN Data… Claim… Warrant… Backing… Reservation…

A ND NOW WE HAVE …

GASCAP! Analyzing Arguments

G ENERALIZATION Generalizations – sweeping statements, whether “all” or “for the most part.” “All girls dream of having a Cinderella wedding dress.” Risk: Hasty generalization.

A UTHORITY Arguments from authority are exactly that. “It is true because the Church says it is true.” “It is true because my teacher said so.” “It is true because a Harvard professor said so.” “It is true because my friends say it is true.” “It is true because the people holding respectable positions in society say – like the editors of The New Yorker -- believe it is true.” Risks: 1.) Wrong authority. 2.) Authority speaks untruth. 3.) Audience does not accept authority. Arguments from authority are, technically, the weakest form of argument.

S IGN Really, effect. But who wants “Caecap” “Because the effects of legalizing marijuana have been so negative, it should not be legalized elsewhere.” Risk: Post hoc ergo propter hoc.

C AUSE “Too much homework makes poorer students.” Risk: Assigning the wrong cause to an effect.

A NALOGY Taking a similar instance as an example. “Prohibition failed, and alcohol is now legal; therefore, the prohibition against marijuana should be similarly lifted.” Risks: Bad analogy.

P RINCIPLE a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning “All people desire happiness.” “God is good.” “It is wrong to lie.” Risk: Having a bad first principle. Note: Bad first principles are rooted in some kind of radical disconnection from reality, whether physically or spiritually.

A ND ONE MORE …

EXPERIENCE It is true because I have seen it – either physically, with my eyes (there IS cake in the refrigerator), or intellectually with my mind (the Pythagorean theorem).

… AND ONE MORE, STILL :

FAITH A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” – John 20:26-29

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