Arguments Analysis and Criticism Week 8

Learning Objectives Benefits Of Arguments Analysis An Approach For Analysis Understanding Fallacies

Introduction Role of the hearer as a critical & analytical recipient of arguments The goal is to develop tools for argument analysis & criticism that enable you to identify an argument’s parts & how they are related to each other, building off the models developed.

1.Benefits Of Arguments Analysis Arguments enables:- -Identify arguers point of view -Supply assumptions & inferences -Evaluate adequacy of the argument Four componets 1.A claim 2.Evidence 3.Reasoning 4.Level of dispute

2. An Approach For Analysis Structure of practical arguments Step 1- figure out what arguer means Step 2- number the statements in the argument Step 3 – identify arguer’s main claim Step 4 – diagram the argument Step 5 – criticize the argument

Analysis of structural patterns Simple form- one premise, one claim Complex- more than one premise, one claim Chain- one(or more) premises, subsidiary or intermediate claim serves as premise or primary claim Compound – one or more premises, more than one claim

3. Understanding Fallacies Audience based- ad hominem, ad populum, appeal to tradition, straw arguments Language use- equivocation, amphiboly, emotive language Grounding- begging the question, non sequitur Reasoning- false analogy, hasty generalisation, false cause, post hoc, single cause, slippery slope

Conclusion Many theories have been identified but focus is to make you aware of how fallacies infiltrate arguments and deceive unsuspecting audience. Be sensitive to factors that make fallacies dangerous & enable you to identify & accurately criticize the fallacies you encounter. Word of caution, just because an argument is fallacious does not necessarily mean that the claim is incorrect. The claim may be reasonable & valid, but not for the reasons & evidence expressed in the argument.

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