1. Introduction to Philosophy Lecture 3 Formalizing an argument By David Kelsey

2. Evaluating an argument Evaluate the argument: –To evaluate an argument is to critique it. Understand the argument: –Before evaluating an argument you must understand it as it’s author does. –Formalize it: break it down into its most simplified form

3. The principle of charity Write what the author intends: –Abide by the principle of charity. –The Bloodhounds example again

4. 3 step process The process (of formalizing) includes several steps: –Write: Simplify and number –Structure: –Evaluate:

5. The structure of an argument The structure rule: –any inference the argument makes follows what it is inferred from. –We must clarify the argument’s structure? An argument’s structure: its pattern of reasoning from the first premise to the conclusion.

6. Clarifying an argument’s structure: #s and symbols First, –Number the propositions of the argument according to the order in which they fall in the text itself. Second, –Clarify the structure with the numbers

7. Symbols When one proposition Q is inferred from another P we write:

8. Symbolizing Dependent Premises Dependent Premises: When you have two or more propositions, P and Q, that dependently support some other proposition of the argument, R:

9. Symbolizing Independent premises Independent Premises: when we have two or more propositions, P and Q, that independently support some third proposition of the argument, R: –

10. 1 proposition supporting more than one or vice versa. 1 Proposition Supporting 2: When we have a proposition, P, that supports more than one proposition of the argument, Q and R, we write: Dependent & Independent Premises: When we have two propositions, P and Q, that dependently support another, S, and we also have a fourth proposition, R, that independently supports S we write: –

11. Counter-arguments Symbolizing counter Reasons: –When we have a proposition, P, that is a reason against some other proposition of the argument, Q, we write a downward arrow from P to Q. We then put a slash mark through the arrow. –Like this: Counter reason: –A reason that is evidence against some premise of an argument.

12. Defending against Counter-arguments Defending against a Counter Argument: –Counter argument: an argument that makes use of a counter reason to show some other argument unsound. Show the counter argument is unsound: –You can defend your own argument by showing a counterargument is unsound.

13. The Carlos example The passage: –I don’t think we should get Carlos his own car. As a matter of fact, he is not responsible because he doesn’t care for his things. And anyway, we don’t have enough money for a car, since even now we have trouble making ends meet. Last week you yourself complained about our financial situation, and you never complain without really good reason. Find the sentences in which the premises and the conclusion are contained. –Indicator words

14. Listing the Propositions Let us now just compose a list of the propositions of the argument. –Follow the order of the text for now The List: –I don’t think we should get Carlos his own car. –As a matter of fact, he is not responsible. –He doesn’t care for his things –And anyway, we don’t have enough money for a car. –Since even now we have trouble making ends meet. –Last week you yourself complained about our financial situation. –You never complain without really good reason.

15. Simplify and number Simplify and number: –1) We shouldn’t get Carlos his own car. –2) Carlos is not responsible. –3) Carlos doesn’t care for his things –4) We don’t have enough money for a car. –5) We have trouble making ends meet. –6) Last week you complained about our financial situation. –7) You never complain without really good reason.

16. Structuring the Carlos argument Now clarify the structure of the argument: –What is the relationship between 2 and 3? What does ‘because’ indicate about 2 and 3? –What is the relationship between 2 and 1? –What about 5 and 4? What does ‘since’ indicate about 4 and 5? –What is the relationship between 6, 7 and 4?

17. The finished structure Propositions 6, 7 and 5 are all related to 4. So lets combine the symbolization: But what is the relationship between 4 and 1? So what does the final structure look like?

18. The finished formalization Now Renumber the propositions of the argument to map onto its structure. The argument after renumbering: –1) Carlos doesn’t care for his things. –Thus, 2) Carlos isn’t responsible. (from 1) –3) Last week you complained about our financial situation. –4) You never complain without really good reason. –5) We have trouble making ends meet now. –Thus, 6) We don’t have enough money for a car. (from 3&4 and 5.) –Thus, 7) We shouldn’t get Carlos his own car. (from 2 and 6.) After the finished formalization now evaluate it.

19. Evaluating formalizations, generally speaking In evaluating a formalization: determine if the argument is good. –Is the argument valid or strong? –Are the premises of the argument reasonable? Evaluate the support given for each premise The premises of a well supported argument are subconclusions

20. Premises as sub-conclusions To evaluate an argument in favor of a sub-conclusion –Does the claim conflict with other credible sources or your own observation or background info? What if the argument is valid or strong and it’s premises reasonable?

21. 5 Simple steps to formalizing Here is a quick 5 step process to formalizing arguments: 1. Are there any terms you don’t understand? 2. What is the issue of the passage? 3. Find the conclusion. 4. Find the premises –Work backwards: 5. Arguments for premises?

22. The Ontological Argument Let us now look at “The Ontological Argument” by Saint Anselm. So Lord--you who reward faith with understanding--let me understand, insofar as you see fit, whether you are as we believe and whether you are what we believe you to be. We believe you to be something than which nothing greater can be conceived. The question, then, is whether something with this nature exists, since “the fool has said in his heart that there is no God” [Ps. 14:1, 53:1]. But surely, when the fool hears the words “something than which nothing greater can be conceived,” he understands what he hears, and what he understands exists in his understanding--even if he doesn’t think that it exists. For it is one thing for an object to exist in someone’s understanding, and another for him to think that it exists. And the passage continues: This should convince even the fool that something than which nothing greater can be conceived exists, if only in the understanding-- since the fool understands the phrase “that than which nothing greater can be conceived” when he hears it and whatever a person understands exists in his understanding. And surely that than which a greater cannot be conceived cannot exist just in the understanding. If it were to exist just in the understanding, we could conceive it to exist in reality too, in which case it would be greater. Therefore, if that than which a greater cannot be conceived exists just in the understanding, the very thing than which nothing greater can be conceived is something than which a greater can be conceived. But surely this cannot be. Without doubt, then, something than which a greater can’t be conceived does exist--both in the understanding and in reality.

23. Formalizing the argument 1. Any terms that you don’t understand? 2. What is the issue? 3. What is the conclusion? Remember this is the answer to the issue. –Hint: check the final sentence of the passage 4. Premises or arguments for premises…

24. Evaluating the argument Now that our argument is formalized we must evaluate it –1- determine if it is a good argument. –2-Examine the premises:

25. Evaluating Anselm’s argument What about the Anselm argument? –What is your definition of God? –Is it greater to exist in reality than in the understanding alone? Is existence a perfection? –If God were to exist in reality where would he be? –Defining God into existence…