Question

Arguments vs. Non-Arguments

Instructions:

Read the following examples and answer the following questions with respect to each of the 10 examples. Remember: not all these categories will apply. For instance, inductive arguments cannot be valid or invalid and deductive arguments cannot be strong or weak. Refer back to the book and your notes to be clear about this. There are some hints below in parenthesis.

1. Which are arguments?
2. What are the conclusions?
3. Which are deductive?
4. Are they valid? (only if they are deductive)
5. Are they sound? (only if they are valid)
6. Which are inductive?
7. Are they weak or strong? (only if they are inductive)

(Note: You can complete this assignment in any way you like, e.g. on a separate sheet of paper/word doc, mark up this document electronically or on paper and upload a scan, etc. As long as I can read your answers, that is fine.)

1. If you fail algebra then you can't take calculus and Mia failed algebra. So, she can't take calculus.

2. All dogs are mammals. All trout are fish. All oaks are trees. And each other living thing also falls within some biological category.

3. My car didn't start this morning because it was very cold and the battery is weak.

4. He was talking to the rubber tree in the hall. Nobody in their right mind would talk to a rubber tree. Thus, he must be crazy.

5. My trip to Europe was great. We went to Paris, London, and Amsterdam. They even let you smoke pot in Amsterdam. We're going back next year.

6. John is uncoordinated. He has little interest in games. He prefers to read.

7. The amount of fraud in business today is disgusting. White-collar criminals are just criminals.

8. The me too movement is very powerful. Sexual harassment is so prevalent in the film industry.

9. Surveys indicate that over 80% of investors are concerned about the ethical climate at companies they invest in. Thus, a company with a strong ethical infrastructure is likely to have many investors.

10. Unless a company breaks the law, they cannot be labeled unethical. It hasn’t been proven that Facebook broke any laws. They are not an unethical company.

Answer 1

Arguments vs. Non-Arguments

[1] If you fail algebra then you can't take calculus and Mia failed algebra. So, she can't take calculus.

This statement implies the Argument and Conclusion.

Argument – “she can’t take calculus” it continues to follow Conclusion key phrase - “So”

[2] All dogs are mammals. All trout are fish. All oaks are trees. And each other living thing also falls within some biological category.

This statement implies a Non - argument i.e Descriptive.

[3] My car didn't start this morning because it was very cold and the battery is weak.

This statement implies Non - argument i.e. Explanatory.

[4] He was talking to the rubber tree in the hall. Nobody in their right mind would talk to a rubber tree. Thus, he must be crazy.

This statement implies the Argument and Conclusion.

Argument – “he must be crazy” it continues to follow Conclusion key phrase - “Thus”

[5] My trip to Europe was great. We went to Paris, London, and Amsterdam. They even let you smoke pot in Amsterdam. We're going back next year.

This statement implies Non - argument i.e. Narrative.

[6] John is uncoordinated. He has little interest in games. He prefers to read.

This statement implies Non - argument i.e. Unsupported.

[7] The amount of fraud in business today is disgusting. White-collar criminals are just criminals.

This statement implies a Valid Deductive Argument.

[8] Me to movement is very powerful. Sexual harassment is so prevalent in the film industry.

This statement implies a Valid Deductive Argument.

[9] Surveys indicate that over 80% of investors are concerned about the ethical climate at companies they invest in. Thus, a company with a strong ethical infrastructure is likely to have many investors.

This statement implies the Argument and Conclusion.

Argument – “company with a strong ethical infrastructure is likely to have many investors.” it continues to follow Conclusion key phrase - “Thus”

[10] Unless a company breaks the law, they cannot be labeled unethical. It hasn’t been proven that Facebook broke any laws. They are not an unethical company.

This statement implies the Inductive Argument.