Phil 3 critical thinking : Ch 2
12. Holy cow!Statement or not??
No
15. You want mayo on that, right?Statement or not??
No
19. Children should be taught not to steal because it is wrong. They should not be taught not to steal because there is a rule against stealing. ( J. F. Covaleski,"Discipline and Morality: Beyond Rules and Consequences")
No
2. Can vegetarians eat animal crackers? (George Carlin)Statement or not??
Not statement
16. What a crock!Statement or not??
Yes
3. Ted Williams is the greatest hitter in baseball history.Statement or not??
statement
26. The heavily cratered lunar highlands speak to us of an early epoch in the history of the solar system when cratering was much more common than it is today; the present population of interplanetary debris fails by a large factor to account for the abundance of the highland craters. (Carl Sagan, Broca's Brain: Reflections on the Romance of Science, 1979) a. argument; conclusion: The heavily cratered lunar highlands speak to us of an early epoch in the history of the solar system when cratering was much more common than it is today. b. argument; conclusion: The present population of interplanetary debris fails by a large factor to account for the abundance of the highland craters. c. nonargument; report d. nonargument; explanation
A. Argument
25. I would like to voice my opinion on what pet shops should sell. Cats, dogs, birds, fish are OK, but rodents, reptiles should not be caged and should remain in their own environment. I think that they should do something to stop them from profiting on these creatures. (From a newspaper call-in column) a. nonargument; explanation b. argument; conclusion: They should do something to stop them from profiting on these creatures. c. nonargument; unsupported assertion d. argument; conclusion: Cats, dogs, birds, fish are OK, but rodents, reptiles should not be caged and should remain in their own environment.
C. Non-argument
27. Let's get this straight now. Guns, evil. Abortion, good. Restrictions on gun ownership. Federal protection of abortion clinics and abortionists. Register your guns, but you don't have to tell your parents or the father you're having an abortion. A relative handful of kids tragically get killed because a few people went beserk or played with their daddy's gun; but thousands of kids are killed every year by abortion. Guns evil? Abortion good? There is something really, really wrong going on here. (From a newspaper call-in column) a. nonargument; unsupported assertion b. nonargument; conditional statement c. argument; conclusion: Guns are good and abortion is evil. d. argument; conclusion; There is something really, really wrong here.
D. Argument
22. [H]e that makes use of the light and faculties God has given him and seeks sincerely to discover truths by those helps and abilities he has, may have this satisfaction in doing his duty as a rational creature, that, though he should miss truth, he will not miss the reward of it. For he governs his assent right, and places it as he should, who, in any case or matter whatsoever, believes or disbelieves, according as his reason directs him. (John Locke, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, 1690) a. nonargument; conditional statement b. nonargument; unsupported assertion c. nonargument; explanation d. argument; conclusion: He that makes use of the light and faculties God has given him and seeks sincerely to discover truths by those helps and abilities he has, may have this satisfaction in doing his duty as a rational creature, that, though he should miss truth, he will not miss the reward of it.
D. argument conclusion: He that makes use of the light and faculties God has given him and seeks sincerely to discover truths by those helps and abilities he has, may have this satisfaction in doing his duty as a rational creature, that, though he should miss truth, he will not miss the reward of it.
Arguement or not?:Dinosaurs became extinct sixty-five million years ago, probably as a result of dramatic global cooling that resulted from the impact of a large asteroid.
No - Explenation.
13. Please print your name legibly. Statement or not??
No - request.
17. Give me a call if you have trouble downloading the fi le.Statement or not??
No Request/suggestion
8. Keep off the grass. (sign)Statement or not??
No command.
21. Smoke 'em if you've got 'em.Statement or not??
No command/suggestion
28. When what is just or unjust is thought to be determined solely by whoever has the power to lay down the law of the land, it unavoidablyfollows that the law of the land cannot be judged either just or unjust.(Mortimer J. Adler, Six Great Ideas )Arguement or not?
No conditional statement.
21. However "civilized," however much brought up in an artificially contrived environment, we all seem to have an innate longing for primitive simplicity, close to the natural state of living. Hence the city people's pleasure in the summer camping in the woods or traveling in the desert or opening up an unbeaten track. (D. T. Suzuki, Zen and Japanese Culture )Arguement or not?
No explenation or illust.
14. What will it profi t a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?Statement or not??
No rhetorical question
22. More than any other time in history, mankind faces a crossroads. One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness, the other, to total extinction. Let us pray that we have the wisdom to choose correctly. (Woody Allen, Side Effects )Arguement or not?
No unsupport assertion.
20. The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who isborn of the Spirit. ( John 3:8) Arguement or not?:
No unsupported assert or illustration.
25. Yikes!Statement or not??Statement or not??
No.
Arguement or not?: If there were no maldistribution, if everyone shared equally, and if no grain were fed to animals, all of humanity could be adequately nourished today.(Paul Ehrlich and Anne Ehrlich, Betrayal of Science and Reason )
Non argument- conditional statement.
Arguement or not?: According to baseball statistician Bill James, Stan Musial was a better allaround baseball player than Ted Williams because Musial was, in addition to being a great hitter, a better fi elder and base-runner than Williams was.
Nonargument (report of an argument)
13. The British statesman William Gladstone thought that we would all be healthier if we chewed each bite of food precisely 32 times. Why else, he argued, did nature endow us with exactly 32 teeth? (Thomas Gilovich, How We Know What Isn't So )
Nonargument (report of argument). (The writer is reporting, not endorsing, Gladstone's argument.)
Arguement or not?:Productivity and serving the public and taking care of one's own employees are neither mere means nor an afterthought of business but rather its very essence. Then, as every smart entrepreneur knows well enough, the profits will come as a consequence. (Robert C. Solomon, Ethics and Excellence:Cooperation and Integrity in Business )
Nonargument (unsupported assertion)
Arguement or not?:You can fool all of the people some of the time, and some of the peopleall the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time. (Abraham Lincoln)
Nonargument (unsupported assertion)
18. There seems to be a tacit assumption that if grizzlies survive in Canada andAlaska, that is good enough. It is not good enough for me. The Alaska bearsare a distinct species. Relegating grizzlies to Alaska is about like relegatinghappiness to heaven; one may never get there. (Aldo Leopold, A SandCounty Almanac )What's the Premise and Conclusion?
Premise 1: The Alaska bears are a distinct species. Premise 2: Relegating grizzlies to Alaska is like relegating happiness to heaven--one may never get to heaven or Alaska. Conclusion: It is not [acceptable that] grizzlies survive only in Canada and Alaska. Alternative Conclusion: [We should demand that policy change to preserve and protect grizzly populations in the northern U.S. States].
9. Our attitudes toward creatures that are conscious and capable of experiencing sensations like pain and pleasure are importantly different from our attitudes toward things lacking such capacities, mere chunks of matter or insentient plants, as witness the controversies about vegetarianism and scientific experiments involving live animals. (Jaegwon Kim, Philosophy of Mind, 3rd ed.)What's the Premise and Conclusion?
Premise 1: There are controversies about vegetarianism and scientific experiments involving live animals. Conclusion: Our attitudes toward creatures that are conscious and capable of experiencing sensation like pain and pleasure are importantly different from our attitudes toward things lacking such capacities, mere chunks of matter or insentient plants.
16. Getting in your run early certainly has its advantages. Those who developthe fi rst-thing-in-the-morning routine tend to be more consistent in theirtraining. . . . Morning runs also avoid the heat and peak air pollution. Youcan enjoy your run without carrying along all the stress that builds up during the day. Early-morning runs . . . save time too by combining your morning and postrun shower. (Bob Glover and Shelly-lynn Florence Glover, TheCompetitive Runner's Handbook )
Premise 1: Those who develop the first-thing-in-the-morning routine tend to be more consistent in their training. Premise 2: Morning runs avoid the heat and peak air pollution. Premise 3: You can enjoy your runs without carrying along all the stress that builds up during the day. Premise 4: Early-morning runs save time by combining your morning and postrun shower. Conclusion: Getting in your run early certainly has its advantages. (or, rather, "You should get your run in early.")
20. The next time you fi nd yourself in an argument, rather than defend yourposition, see if you can see the other point of view fi rst. . . . When youunderstand other positions and points of view, several wonderful thingsbegin to happen. First, you often learn something new . . . [and] expand yourhorizons. Second, when the person you are talking to feels listened to, heor she will appreciate and respect you far more than when you habituallyjump in with your own position. . . . A side benefi t is that the person you arespeaking to may even listen to your point of view. Whats the premise and Conclusion?
Premise 1: When you understand other positions and points of view, you often learn something new and expand your horizons. Premise 2: When the person you are talking to feels listened to, he or she will appreciate and respect you far more than when you habitually jump in with your own position. Premise 3: A side benefit is that the person you are speaking to may even listen to your point of view. Conclusion: The next time you find yourself in an argument, rather than defend your position, [you should] see if you can see the other point of view first.
15. The evil of drunkenness consists partly in the physical deterioration it gradually induces, but far more in the unseating of reason from its ruling position, making the man a temporary beast, and in the disastrous social consequences involved in becoming unfi t for any responsible work, such as holding a job or supporting a family. (Austin Fagothey, Right and Reason,6th ed.)What's the Premise and Conclusion?
Premise 1: [Habitual] drunkenness causes physical deterioration. Premise 2: [Habitual] drunkenness undermines the capacity of reason which leads to disastrous social consequences (e.g. fitness for work and supporting one's family). Conclusion: Drunkenness is evil.
8. Do not play your sound system loudly as you may not be able to hear warning sirens from emergency vehicles. In addition, hearing damage from loud noise is almost undetectable until it's too late. (car owner's manual)What's the Premise and Conclusion?
Premise 1: [If your sound system is too loud], you may not be able to hear warning sirens from emergency vehicles. Premise 2: Hearing damage from loud noise is almost undetectable until it's too late. Conclusion: [You should] not play your sound system loudly.
4. I think faith is a vice, because faith means believing a proposition when there is no good reason for believing it. (Bertrand Russell, "The Existence and Nature of God")What's the Premise and Conclusion?
Premise : Faith means believing a proposition when there is no good reason for believing it. Conclusion: Faith is a vice.
14. You should always honor your fiercest opponent; the better your opponent,the better you have to be. (Lance Armstrong, Every Second Counts )What's the Premise and Conclusion?
Premise : The better your opponent, the better you have to be. Conclusion: you should always honor your opponent
7. Science is based on experiment, on a willingness to challenge old dogma, on an openness to see the universe as it really is. Accordingly, science sometimes requires courage—at the very least the courage to question the conventional wisdom. (Carl Sagan, Broca's Brain: Refl ections on the Romance of Science )What's the Premise and Conclusion?
Premise1: Science is based on experiment. Premise 2: Science is based on a willingness to challenge old dogma. Premise 3: Science is based on an openness to see the universe as it really is. Conclusion: Science sometimes requires courage--at the very least the courage to question the conventional wisdom.
1. Since light takes time to reach our eyes, all that we see really existed in the past. (Louis Pojman, The Theory of Knowledge ) What's the Premise and Conclusion?
Premise: Light takes time to reach our eyes. Conclusion: All that we see really existed in the past.
10. You know how I know animals have souls? Because on average, the lowest animal is a lot nicer and kinder than most of the human beings that inhabit this Earth. (newspaper call-in column)What's the Premise and Conclusion?
Premise: On average, the lowest animal is a lot nicer and kinder than most of the human beings that inhabit the earth. Conclusion: Animals have souls.
11. Democracy has at least one merit, namely, that a member of Parliament cannot be stupider than his constituents, for the more stupid he is, the more stupid they were to elect him. (Bertrand Russell, Autobiography )What's the Premise and Conclusion?
Premise: The more stupid a Member of Parliament is, the more stupid his constituents were to elect him. Conclusion: Democracy has at least one merit, namely, that a Member of Parliament cannot be stupider than his constituents.
6. There is no definitive way to prove any one set of religious beliefs to the exclusion of all others. For that reason religious freedom is a human right. (Richard Paul and Linda Elder, The Miniature Guide to Understanding the Foundations of Ethical Reasoning )What's the Premise and Conclusion?
Premise: There is no definitive way to prove any one set of religious beliefs to the exclusion of all others. Conclusion: Religious freedom is a human right.
12. Don't worry about senility. When it hits you, you won't know it. (Bill Cosby,Time Flies )What we have to learn to do we learn by doing.—Aristotle We cannot get anywhere without practice.What's the Premise and Conclusion?
Premise: When senility hits you, you won't know it. Conclusion: [You ought not to] worry about senility.
5. You want to be very careful about lying; otherwise you are nearly sure to get caught. (Mark Twain, "Advice to Youth")What's the Premise and Conclusion?
Premise: [If you are not careful when lying] you are nearly sure to get caught. Conclusion: [You should be] very careful about lying.
20. Men love the suit so much, we've actually styled our pajamas to look like atiny suit. Our pajamas have little lapels, little cuffs, simulated breast pockets.Do you need a breast pocket on your pajamas? You put a pen in there,you roll over in the middle of the night, you kill yourself. ( Jerry Seinfeld,Sein Language )What's the Premise and Conclusion?
Premise: [If you used the breast pocket on your pajamas as a breast pocket, it might cause you serious injury.] Conclusion: You don't need a breast pocket on your pajamas. Note: This is probably not best treated as an argument, properly speaking. It is intended to evoke laughter, not provide proof for a claim. Also, you'll notice there is an illustration and an explanation in this passage as well. Thus, the argument doesn't even begin until the third sentence (which is a rhetorical question).
3. Take care of a good name: for this shall continue with thee, more than a thousand treasures precious and great. ( Ecclesiasticus 41:15)What's the Premise and Conclusion?
Premise: [Your reputation] shall continue with thee, more than a thousand treasures precious and great. Conclusion: You should take care of your [reputation].
1. Capital punishment is wrong. Statement or not??
Statement
18. It is clear that there never was a time when nothing existed; otherwise nothing would exist now. (C. S. Lewis, Miracles )Arguement or not?
Yes
7. Great! Statement or not??
Yes statement empathetic way...
35. Several other common English words often are used to connect sentences in the same way as the word "and". Thus, the word "but" often means "and on the contrary" or "on the other hand". (Howard Kahane, Logic and Philosophy, 5th ed., 1986) a. nonargument; illustration b. nonargument; unsupported assertion c. nonargument; explanation d. argument; conclusion: The word "but" often means "and on the contrary" or "on the other hand".
a. nonargument;
3. If you have a well-established theory which says that change does not occur in the heavenly regions (regions of the sky more distant from the Earth than the moon), you will rightly discount reports of observers on a particular occasion who claim to have observed a new star to appear where there was no star before, or to have observed a comet pass through those regions (as opposed to being a mere sublunary phenomenon). (Richard Swinburne, Revelation: From Metaphor to Analogy, 1992) a. nonargument; conditional statement b. nonargument; illustration c. argument; conclusion: You will rightly discount reports of observers on a particular occasion who claim to have observed a new star to appear where there was no star before, or to have observed a comet pass through those regions (as opposed to being a mere sublunary phenomenon) d. nonargument; unsupported assertion.
a. nonargument; conditional statement
10. About a century and a half ago Matthew Arnold found in the withdrawing ocean tide a metaphor for the retreat of religious faith, and heard in the water's sound "the note of sadness." It would be wonderful to find in the laws of nature a plan prepared by a concerned creator in which human beings played some special role. I find sadness in doubting that we will. (Steven Weinberg, Dreams of a Final Theory, 1992) a. nonargument; unsupported assertion b. argument; conclusion: I find sadness in doubting that we will. c. argument; conclusion: It would be wonderful to find in the laws of nature a plan prepared by a concerned creator in which human beings played some special role. d. nonargument; explanation
a. nonargument; unsupported assertion
33. Since food and tools were placed in the graves, we may presume that the Sumerians believed in an afterlife. (Will Durant, Our Oriental Heritage, 1935) a. nonargument; explanation b. argument; conclusion: We may presume that the Sumerians believed in an afterlife. c. nonargument; conditional statement d. argument; conclusion: Food and tools were placed in the graves.
b. argument
4. Official world table tennis championships were first held in 1926 under the auspices of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF; founded in 1926). Women's doubles competition was added in 1929 and women's team competition in 1934. In 1980 the ITTF first sponsored a men's World Cup competition for the top 16 ranking players; it has been held annually since then. ("Sporting Record: Table Tennis," The New Encyclopaedia Britannica, 15th ed., 1990) a. nonargument; explanation b. nonargument; report c. nonargument; unsupported assertion d. argument; conclusion: It has been held annually since then.
b. nonargument
34. If we have a general obligation to be concerned for the well-being of those around us and if their lives are worsened by government policies, we may have a duty to try to change the government and its policies. (Stephen Nathanson, Should We Consent to Be Governed? 1992) a. nonargument; illustration b. nonargument; conditional statement c. argument; conclusion: We may have a duty to try to change the government and its policies. d. nonargument; unsupported assertion
b. nonargument;
18. If moms would stay home and be moms the way they're supposed to be instead of trying to act like men, we wouldn't have the trouble we're having with our children today. (From a newspaper call-in column) a. argument; conclusion: Moms should stay home and be moms the way they're supposed to be instead of trying to act like men. b. nonargument; conditional statement c. nonargument; unsupported assertion d. argument; conclusion: We wouldn't have the trouble we're having with our children today.
b. nonargument; conditional statement
8. Since 1950, almost every top publishing house in the United States has been issuing books that its editors know to be occult garbage. Why? The answer is obvious. Like worthless diet books, they make lots of money. (Martin Gardner, The New Age: Notes of a Fringe Watcher, 1988) a. argument; conclusion: Since 1950, almost every top publishing house in the United States has been issuing books that its editors know to be occult garbage. b. nonargument; explanation c. nonargument; report d. argument; conclusion: Like worthless diet books, they make lots of money.
b. nonargument; explanation
11. Life can throw us some curves at times that are not always easy to handle. We can often feel lost, uncertain and upset. With so much to do and think about, we may become confused; not sure how to feel or what to do with our feelings. A natural reaction to stress, disappointment and losses in our lives is to feel down. But it's important to know that when these feelings are severe or continue for a long time, you may be experiencing depression--a disorder that requires professional help. (First Priority Health Brochure, October 2000) a. argument; conclusion: Life can throw us some curves at times that are not always easy to handle. b. nonargument; report or unsupported assertion c. argument; conclusion: But it's important to know that when these feelings are severe or continue for a long time, you may be experiencing depression--a disorder that requires professional help. d. nonargument; illustration
b. nonargument; report or unsupported assertion
24. We do not choose to be born. We do not choose our parents. We do not choose our historical epoch, the country of our birth, or the immediate circumstances of our upbringing. We do not, most of us, choose to die, nor do we choose the time or conditions of our death. But within all this realm of choicelessness, we do choose how we shall live: courageously or in cowardice, honorably or dishonorably, with purpose or in drift. (Joseph Epstein, Ambition: The Secret Passion, 1980) a. argument; conclusion: Within all this realm of choicelessness, we do choose how we shall live: courageously or in cowardice, honorably or dishonorably, with purpose or in drift. b. nonargument; explanation c. nonargument; unsupported assertion d. nonargument; conditional statement
c. Nonargument
9. This is for the lady who says she wants to vote for the opposite person who is not supported by pharmaceutical companies. Republicans support big business. Pharmaceutical companies are very, very big business. You want to vote against them? Vote Democratic. (From a newspaper call-in column) a. nonargument; unsupported assertion b. argument; conclusion: Republicans support big business. c. argument; conclusion: If you want to vote against candidates who are not supported by the pharmaceutical companies, vote Democratic. d. argument; conclusion: Pharmaceutical companies are very, very big business.
c. argument; conclusion: If you want to vote against candidates who are not supported by the pharmaceutical companies, vote Democratic.
1. Never try to discourage thinking for you are sure to succeed. (Bertrand Russell, Autobiography, 1969) a. nonargument; explanation b. nonargument; unsupported assertion c. argument; conclusion: Never try to discourage thinking. d. argument; conclusion: You are sure to succeed.
c. argument; conclusion: Never try to discourage thinking.
13. In a thoroughly naturalistic universe, it would be hard to see how any of our gestures toward meaning could be efficacious in any way at all. For this reason, the debate about the existence of God is never just an intellectual controversy. (Tom Morris, Philosophy for Dummies, 1999) a. argument; conclusion: In a thoroughly naturalistic universe, it would be hard to see how any of our gestures toward meaning could be efficacious in any way at all. b. nonargument; explanation c. argument; conclusion: The debate about the existence of God is never just an intellectual controversy. d. nonargument; conditional statement
c. argument; conclusion: The debate about the existence of God is never just an intellectual controversy.
17. There can be no defense of eating flesh in terms of satisfying nutritional needs, since it has been established beyond doubt that we could satisfy our need for protein and other essential nutrients far more efficiently with a diet that replaced animal flesh by soy beans, or products derived from soy beans, and other high-protein vegetable products. (Peter Singer, Animal Liberation, 1975) a. nonargument; explanation b. argument; conclusion: It has been established beyond doubt that we could satisfy our need for protein and other essential nutrients far more efficiently with a diet that replaced animal flesh by soy beans, or products derived from soy beans, and other high-protein vegetable products. c. argument; conclusion: There can be no defense of eating flesh in terms of satisfying nutritional needs. d. nonargument; unsupported assertion
c. argument; conclusion: There can be no defense of eating flesh in terms of satisfying nutritional needs.
16. We have five fingers because we are descended from a Devonian fish that had five phalanges or bones in its fins. (Carl Sagan, Cosmos, 1980) a. nonargument; unsupported assertion b. argument; conclusion: We have five fingers. c. nonargument; explanation d. argument; conclusion: We are descended from a Devonian fish that had five phalanges or bones in its fins.
c. nonargument
30. We can acquire a more profound understanding of events by recognizing their significance in Christ; thus the crossing of the Red Sea is a sign or type of Christ's victory and also of Christian baptism. (The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1994) a. argument; conclusion: We can acquire a more profound understanding of events by recognizing their significance in Christ. b. argument; conclusion: The crossing of the Red Sea is a sign or type of Christ's victory and also of Christian baptism. c. nonargument; illustration d. nonargument; explanation
c. nonargument;
2. Because Mars is farther from the Sun than is the Earth, its temperatures are considerably lower. (Carl Sagan, Cosmos, 1980) a. nonargument; report b. argument; conclusion: Mars is farther from the Sun than is the earth. c. nonargument; explanation d. argument; conclusion: Its temperatures are considerably lower.
c. nonargument; explanation
32. You'd better not pout. I'm telling you why: Santa Claus is coming to town! (Song: "Santa Claus is Coming to Town") a. nonargument; unsupported assertion b. nonargument; explanation c. nonargument; report d. argument; conclusion: You'd better not pout.
d. argument
19. Astrology is having a resurgence not only because of mystical trends that ebb and flow over the years, but also because of the superabundance of astrological material easily accessible everywhere. (J.V. Stewart, Astrology: What's Really in the Stars? 1996) a. nonargument; report b. argument; conclusion: There is a superabundance of astrological material everywhere. c. argument; conclusion: Astrology is having a resurgence. d. nonargument; explanation
d. nonargument; explanation
21. Simple distinctions come all too easily. Frequently we open the way for later puzzlement by restricting the options we take to be available. So, for example, in contrasting science and religion, we often operate with a simple pair of categories. On one side there is science, proof, and certainty; on the other, religion, conjecture, and faith. (Philip Kitcher, Abusing Science: The Case Against Creationism, 1982) a. nonargument; conditional statement b. argument; conclusion: For example, in contrasting science and religion, we often operate with a simple pair of categories. c. argument; conclusion: Simple distinctions come all too easily. d. nonargument; illustration
d. nonargument; illustration
5. I believe in the United States of America as a Government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect Union one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. (William Tyler Page, "The American's Creed," quoted in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 12th ed., 1948) a. nonargument; illustration b. nonargument; conditional statement c. nonargument; report d. nonargument; unsupported assertion
d. nonargument; unsupported assertion
23. [W]ithout really knowing it, many students inwardly believe that it is possible to acquire knowledge without thought, that it is possible to read without exerting any intellectual energy, and that good writing is not a product of practice and hard work but of a talent one is born with. As a result, they are not inclined to take any responsibility for their own learning or to put any effort into learning new modes of thinking. (Foundation for Critical Thinking, Critical Thinking: Basic Theory and Instructional Structures, 1999) a. nonargument; explanation b. argument; conclusion: They are not inclined to take any responsibility for their own learning or to put any effort into learning new modes of thinking. c. nonargument; report d. nonargument; unsupported assertion
A. nonargument
Arguement or not?: Animals have a prodigious advantage over us: they forsee neither evils nor death. (Voltaire, Notebooks )
Arguement
28. It is very easy for Pope John Paul II to urge Catholics to attend Sunday mass, especially in Rome, where one can be surrounded by hundreds of priests. Out here in the real world there is a serious shortage of male priests; those who remain increasingly preside over lackluster liturgies. This situation could be alleviated by allowing married priests into active ministry and by the Catholic Church's recognition of female priests. (Mary Louise Hartman, Letter to the Editor, New York Times, July 12, 1998) a. nonargument; report b. argument; conclusion: The Catholic Church should recognize female priests and allow married priests into active ministry. c. nonargument; explanation d. nonargument; unsupported assertion
B. argument
29. I worry that to promote science as all fun and larky and easy is to store up trouble for the future. Real science can be hard (well, challenging to give it a more positive spin) but, like classical literature or playing the violin, worth the struggle. If children are lured into science, or any other worthwhile occupation, by the promise of easy fun, what are they going to do when they finally have to confront the reality? (Richard Dawkins, Unweaving the Rainbow: Science, Delusion, and the Appetite for Wonder, 1998) a. argument; conclusion: Real science can be hard, but is worth the struggle. b. nonargument; explanation c. argument; conclusion: By promoting science as all fun and larky and easy we may be storing up trouble for the future. d. nonargument; report
C . argument
20. Give us this day our daily bread. (said in prayer) Statement or not??
No
9. If Sally calls, tell her I'm at the library. Statement or not??
No
7. How can anyone in his right mind criticize the state police for the speed traps? If you're not speeding, you don't have to worry about them. It could save your life if some other speeder is stopped. (newspaper call-in column) Whats the Premise and Conclusion?
Premise 1: If you are not speeding, you don't have to worry about speed traps. Premise 2: Speed traps could save your life if some other speeder is caught. Conclusion: No one in his right mind [should] criticize the state police for speed traps.
17. In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will ofGod. Both may be, and one must be, wrong. God cannot be for and againstthe same thing at the same time. (Abraham Lincoln, "Meditation on theDivine Will")What's the Premise and Conclusion?
Premise 1: In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Premise 2: God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time. Conclusion: Both parties in great contests may be, and one must be, wrong.
2. Life changes when you least expect it to. The future is uncertain. So seize this day, seize this moment, and make the most of it. ( Jim Valvano, quoted in Mike Krzyzewski, Leading with the Heart )What's the Premise and Conclusion?
Premise 1: Life changes when you least expect it to. Premise 2: The future is uncertain. Conclusion: [One ought to] seize this day, seize this moment, and make the most of it.
1. When the universe has crushed him man will still be nobler than that which kills him, because he knows that he is dying, and of its victory the universe knows nothing. (Blaise Pascal, Pensées )Whats the Premise and Conclusion?
Premise 1: Man knows that he is dying. Premise 2: Of its victory the universe knows nothing. Conclusion: When the universe has crushed him man will still be nobler than that which kills him.
19. Has it ever occurred to you how lucky you are to be alive? More than99 percent of all creatures that have ever lived have died without progeny,but not a single one of your ancestors falls into this group! (Daniel C.Dennett, Darwin's Dangerous Idea )What's the Premise and Conclusion?
Premise 1: More than 99 percent of the creatures that have ever lived have died without progeny. Premise 2: Not a single one of your ancestors falls into this group. Conclusion: You are very lucky to be alive.
5. Our faith comes in moments; our vice is habitual. Yet there is a depth inthose brief moments which constrains us to ascribe more reality to themthan to all other experiences. For this reason the argument which is alwaysforthcoming to silence those who conceive extraordinary hopes of man,namely the appeal to experience, is forever invalid and vain. (Ralph WaldoEmerson, "The Over-Soul") Whats the Premise and Conclusion?
Premise 1: Our faith comes in moments. Premise 2: Our vice is habitual. Premise 3: There is a depth in those brief moments which constrains us to ascribe more reality to them than to all other experiences. Conclusion: The argument which is always forthcoming to silence those who conceive extraordinary hopes of man, namely the appeal to experience, is forever invalid and vain.
2. Rights are either God-given or evolve out of the democratic process. Mostrights are based on the ability of people to agree on a social contract, theability to make and keep agreements. Animals cannot possibly reach suchan agreement with other creatures. They cannot respect anyone else's rights.Therefore they cannot be said to have rights. (Rush Limbaugh, The WayThings Ought to Be )Whats the Premise and Conclusion?
Premise 1: Rights are either God-given or evolve out of the democratic process. Premise 2: Most rights are based on the ability of people to agree on a social contract, the ability to make and keep agreements. Premise 3: Animals cannot possibly reach such an agreement with other creatures. Premise 4: Animals cannot respect anyone else's rights. Conclusion: Animals cannot be said to have rights.
16. It's part of human nature to be angry at God when bad things happen, butwhat's the point? If we encourage each other to blame God for injustices,then aren't we giving the evil or dark side a victory by keeping God'sprecious children—that's all of us—away from His loving arms? (letter tothe editor)What's the Premise and Conclusion?
Premise: If we encourage each other to blame God for injustice, we are giving the evil or dark side a victory by keeping God's precious children-that's all of us-away from His loving arms. Conclusion: [We ought not to] be angry at God when bad things happen.
13. Whether you like it or not, you'd better accept reality the way it occurs: as highly imperfect and filled with most fallible human beings. Your alternative?Continual anxiety and desperate disappointments. (Albert Ellis and Robert A. Harper, A New Guide to Rational Living ) Whats the Premise and Conclusion?
Premise: If you don't accept reality the way it occurs--namely, as highly imperfect and filled with most fallible human beings--you will experience continual anxiety and desperate disappointments. Conclusion: Whether you like it or not, [you ought to] accept reality the way it occurs: as highly imperfect and filled with most fallible human beings.
energy alternatives when the cheap oil runs out. (Gregg Easterbrook,"Opportunity Costs")What's the Premise and Conclusion?
Premise: Oil isn't helping anyone when it sits in the ground. Conclusion: There's nothing wrong with burning crude [oil] like crazy, so long as there's a plan for energy alternatives when the cheap oil runs out.
22. Mi casa es su casa. Statement or not??
Yes
23. Don't you realize how silly that hat looks?Statement or not??
Yes
24. What's love but a secondhand emotion? (Tina Turner) Statement or not??
Yes
Arguement or not?:Dogs make better pets than cats because there more intelligent adn obedient.
Yes
10. I hope Peter likes his new job.Statement or not??
Yes - order/request
11. Can't you see that pornography demeans women?Statement or not??
Yes rhetorical question
5. Abraham Lincoln was the fi rst president of the United States.Statement or not??
Yes statement
7. Although it is high time to deal with agriculture's contribution to water pollution, the damage is very uneven in scope and severity; it tends to occur where farming is extensive and fresh water resources are vulnerable. Thus, blanket regulations would be unwise. (David E. Ervin, "Shaping a Smarter Environmental Policy for Farming," 1998) a. argument; conclusion: Blanket regulations would be unwise. b. argument; conclusion: It tends to occur where farming is extensive and fresh water resources are vulnerable. c. nonargument; illustration d. nonargument; explanation
a. argument; conclusion: Blanket regulations would be unwise.
31. Science cannot rule out heaven and hell because they are beyond the reach of empirical investigation. (Chet Raymo, Skeptics and True Believers, 1998) a. argument; conclusion: Science cannot rule out heaven and hell. b. nonargument; unsupported assertion c. nonargument; explanation d. argument; conclusion: They are beyond the reach of empirical investigation.
a. argument; conclusion: Science cannot rule out heaven and hell.
14. This is for the person who wrote in the SAYSO column that George Bush is a breath of fresh air. I think he is an airhead. (From a newspaper call-in column) a. nonargument; unsupported assertion b. nonargument; explanation c. nonargument; report d. argument; conclusion: I think he is an airhead.
a. nonargument
20. Be not afraid because some time thou must cease to live, but fear to have begun truly to live. (Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, c. AD 180) a. nonargument; explanation b. nonargument; unsupported assertion c. argument; conclusion: Fear to have begun truly to live. d. argument; conclusion: Be not afraid because some time thou must cease to live.
b. nonargument; unsupported assertion
15. To make sense of complex issues, you need to have thought critically and reasoned analytically about them, before reaching a well-supported conclusion. (John Chaffee, The Thinker's Way, 1998) a. argument; conclusion: You need to have thought critically and reasoned analytically about them. b. argument; conclusion: Before reaching a well-supported conclusion. c. nonargument; unsupported assertion d. nonargument; explanation
c. nonargument
6. When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle. (Edmund Burke, "Thoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontents," 1770) a. nonargument; explanation b. nonargument; unsupported assertion c. argument; conclusion: Else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle. d. argument; conclusion: When bad men combine, the good must associate.
d. argument; conclusion: When bad men combine, the good must associate.
12. Dictators win the loyalty of their people because people are anxious to have someone and something in which to believe and to whom they can give loyalty. (Peter J. Gomes, The Good Book, 1996) a. nonargument; report b. argument; conclusion: Dictators win the loyalty of their people. c. nonargument; unsupported assertion d. nonargument; explanation
d. nonargument; explanation
19. I'll have a cheeseburger and fries, please. (said to a fast-food restaurant employee) Statement or not??
no request
4. What do you say we stop at the next rest stop?Statement or not??
not statement
6. Let's party!Statement or not??
not statement
18. Blondes are more attractive than brunettes. Statement or not??
yes
