HU260DruryW1Assignment
.pdf
School
University of Arkansas**We aren't endorsed by this school
Course
STAT HU260
Subject
Philosophy
Date
Jan 7, 2025
Pages
1
Uploaded by GrandSandpiper4732
An argument is a series of statements where the conclusion is supported by the premises, using logical reasoning and evidence. It attempts to persuade the reader to accept the conclusion based on the reasons provided. Indicators of an argument include the supporting evidence, a logical connection between the premises and the conclusion, and the presence of a clear claim. An example of an argument could be: “Since the weather predicts rain, we should cancel our outdoor birthday party.” Here, “we should cancel our outdoor birthday party” is the conclusion, and “the weather predicts rain” is the premise supporting it. Cogent Reasoning refers to an argument that is well-structured, convincing, and logical. The three key criteria of cogent reasoning include: sufficiency, relevance, and soundness (or validity in deductive arguments, and strength in inductive arguments.) Sufficiency means the evidence provided is enough to support the claim. Relevance means the evidence and premises are directly related to the conclusion. Soundness means the argument has true premises and a logical connection to the conclusion. A deductive argument is one where, if the premises are true, the conclusion must be true. It follows a strict logical structure, like a mathematical equation. One example is “All dogs have four legs. Rex is a dog. Therefore, Rex has four legs.” An inductive argument is based on evidence and probability. While the premises support the conclusion, they do not guarantee its truth. An example is “Most people who eat broccoli like vegetables. Dakota eats broccoli. Therefore, Dakota probably likes vegetables. Background beliefs, philosophies, and worldviews significantly influence how we interpret information and construct arguments. They act as filters through which we see the world, shaping our values, biases, and assumptions. For example, someone with a strong environmental worldview might interpret the evidence supporting climate change differently than someone with a more skeptical viewpoint. These background beliefs can affect which arguments we find persuasive and how we evaluate the evidence presented. I once used a rational argument to persuade my fiancé to recycle. I presented evidence about the environmental impact of plastic waste, which highlighted the harm to marine life and the long-term consequences for the planet, (the harm to marine life was the easiest part to convince him with because he loves going to the ocean and looking at all the different creatures.) I also shared practical solutions, like suggesting a recycling bin and finding a nearby drop-off point. Every Sunday we make a day of it by going and dropping it off and while doing so, we also get to spend one on one time together. By combining data, facts, and a constructive approach, I was able to successfully convince my fiancé to adopt a more sustainable recycling practice with me.
