1. 1 Lesson 7: Arguments SOCI 108 - Thinking Critically about Social Issues Spring 2012

2. 2 Learning Outcomes Evaluate arguments

3. 3 Fact vs. Opinion Facts – The way things are – Can be proved – Not true or false, they just are Proving facts Sensory distortions Conceptual distortions

4. 4 Opinions – Our own personal beliefs about facts – Can be true or false if they correspond with fact or not Express opinions with statements, or assertions, that are true or false, or some degree in between

5. 5 An Argument A group of statements, which support or provide evidence for, the conclusion If no evidence is presented, it is not an argument, merely an opinion or position An argument is aimed at demonstrating the truth or falsity of a particular claim The argument is not true or false, the statements or premises are true or false Conclusions can be plausible (apparently believable) or not plausible

6. 6 An Argument has 3 parts: Issue – What we’re arguing about E.g. should we keep the death penalty in the US? Reasons – The support E.g. crime is less in DP states per capita Conclusion – The position that the author takes on the issue E.g. the DP is a good deterrent to crime