Critical Thinking SkillsArguments

Dr Fariza Hanis Abdul Razak

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of this lecture, you will be able to:• Define an argument• Differentiate between an argument and a non-argument statement• Make an argument

What is an Argument?

A heated dispute

A quarrel

A shouting match

“A set of propositions, or statements, which are designed to convince a reader or listener of a claim, or conclusion, and which include at least one reason (premise) for accepting the conclusion."  

What is an Argument?

Definitions From Famous Authors

Kathleen Dean Moore

“A claim or proposition put forward along with reasons or evidence supporting it.”

Robert Ennis

“An attempt to support a conclusion by giving reasons for it.”

Richard Epstein

“An argument is a collection of statements, one of which is called the conclusion whose truth the argument attempts to establish; the others are called the premises, which are supposed to lead to, or support, or convince that the conclusion is true."

So What is an Argument?

• Issues or claims (Propositions)•Reasons (Premises)•Conclusion

Propositions

•Also called as claims or statements•A building block of arguments•Sentences that are either TRUE or FALSE• NOT QUESTIONS, COMMANDS, OR

EXCLAMATIONS

Propositions - continued

Statement True False Malaysia holds General Election every five years.

Hatim is a weight-lifter. An argument is another form of explanation.

Aiman is Dr Fariza’s only son.

Propositions - continued

• Arguments can have more than one proposition.• “Smoking is bad for you, you shouldn’t do it.”• “Smoking is bad for you.”• “You shouldn’t do it.”

Propositions - continued

• Beware, sometimes a sentence may seem to include two propositions, but does not.• “If Ali goes to party, then Salmah stays at

home.”• A relationship that has TWO parts.

Propositions - continued

•Opinions • A belief that we accept, though without certainty.• Our views about • religion, government, life, art, literature, music,

study• If such statements are not propositions, then they

are not true or false, and there is no need to offer reasons in support of them.

Purpose of Arguments

• A specific purpose, to convince or persuade a listener or reader.• Different from sets of propositions that instruct,

give directions, report or inform.

Are these forms of arguments?

So How Do We Know An Argument?

Ask yourself the questions, • "Is this passage trying to convince

me of something." • If the answer to this question is

"yes," then ask, "What claim or conclusion is the passage intended to convince me to accept?"

• After identifying the conclusion, ask, "What reasons are given for me to accept this conclusion?"

Remember that so long as you have a conclusion and at least one reason or premise, the passage is an argument.

Premise Indicators

• Since…• Because…• For…• In view of…• This is implied by• In light of…• Given that …• For that reason

Conclusion Indicators

• Thus• Therefore…• Hence…• This shows that…• This suggests that…• Consequently…• So…• Accordingly…• This implies that…• This proves that…

An Example

• “Encik Fauzi has served in UiTM for twenty years and has extensive experience in teaching and administration. You should support him for the next Vice Chancelor of UiTM.”• "Since you should support Encik Fauzi for Vice Chancelor,

therefore he has served in UiTM for twenty years and has extensive experience in teaching and administration.”• "Since Encik Fauzi has served in UiTM for twenty years and

has extensive experience in teaching and administration, therefore you should support him for Vice Chancelor."

Exercise 1

1) To install the program, you must first put the CD in the player.

2) Open up the File Manager, click on "Run" and type in "D: Install."

3) After the program is loaded, you will need to restart the computer to use the program.

Is this an argument?

Exercise 2

1) All of this talk about banning guns makes me sick! 2) Isn't it obvious that if we ban guns, law-abiding citizens

will not own them, while only the criminals will have them?

Exercise 3

1) Two teenagers saw the movie, "Natural Born Killers," and went out on a killing spree.

2) A number of teenagers who have committed violence at schools have spent many hour playing video games filled with murder and violence.

3) We must have some stricter controls on the content of entertainment that is viewed by teenagers.

Exercise 4

1) Research has shown that people who do at least 30 minutes a day of vigorous exercise reduce their risk of heart disease and some forms of cancer. 2) It would be wise for you to begin a daily program of exercise.

Activity: Provide Your Arguments

• Effective from today, 15th October 2015, toll rates have been increased by at least 20% - 80%. The Government said that the increase is necessary as we can build more schools and hospitals for the betterment of Malaysians.• Do you agree with the Government? Provide your

arguments!