Arguments The basics and beyond…

The the form of an argument A B A B In words: If A then B, A is true, Therefore B is true…

What a Debate Argument Looks Like Claim Warrant Impact

Claims A claim is an assertion of what is : – E.G. Rehabilitation is superior to punishment because it lowers recidivism (repeat offenders). Claims can be : – Analytical Intuitive premises: appeal to common sense and common experiences to valid these. Empirical [based in concrete facts ] premises : –These are real world – the evidence can be counted, directly observed, etc. –They require hard evidence to prove true.

Warrants A warrant: (WHY is your claim true, why should I believe you??) – E.G. This is true because a study by Professor Jones shows that states that favor rehabilitation have lower recidivism rates than those which favor punishment. You should be able to explain how your “warrant” links to your value criterion! – Thus the Jones evidence achieves my value criterion of increasing public security. Less crime means a safer environment for all citizens.

Inductive Arguments

Deductive Arguments Generalization Specific case Conclusion

Examples ? Can you think of an a example of a flawed argument of the other type?

Warrants 2 Warrants 2 A warrant answers the question: why is this true – Empirical [facutal] claims require empirical [facutal] warrants – Empirical claims are actual inductive arguments In Ohio rehabilitation was superior to punishment, in Maine, rehabilitation was superior to punishment…. [a bunch of individual examples – usually not read in a round ], instead you may say…. My study was done in 30 states and in each case rehabilitation proved superior to punishment. Therefore rehabilitation is superior to punishment.

Analytical Warrants – Analytical warrants are deductive arguments Psychologists tells us that rewards are superior to punishments in changing behavior. Rehabilitation provides rewards for changed behavior, punishment does not. Therefore rehabilitation is superior. – Always try to figure out what the general principle is that the argument is based on.

Claim and Warrant and Impacts Impacts: so what? Why should I care even if this is so? – Why should I care that recidivism rates are lower if we use rehabilitation? – Example of an impact that should make me care: when recidivism rates go down, crime goes down and people are more secure. – We care in general because the evidence means you achieve your value criterion and therefore better achieve your value.

Language of argumentation:  Power of language:  Riot  Civil disturbances  Insurrection  Gang-inspired thieves (thuggery)  Anarchy  The difference it makes