Go over the three arguments below. (Don't read your classmates'posts until you are done with your own work.)
Then, choose TWO (2) of them.
In each case, identify the argument’s two parts: what is theconclusion? (There may be more than one conclusion in the passage;this means that you could identify more than one argument perpassage.) What is or are the premises? (Each premise and eachconclusion should be formulated in your own words; each of themmust be a simple and complete declarative sentence.)
After you identify the argument, answer the followingquestions:
Is this a good argument? What’s misleading about it? Where isthe reasoning mistake?
EXAMPLE 1
The following appeared in a local newspaper:
In the last school where Principal McArthur worked, he was knownas very tough. The teachers resented him. Nobody liked him. He’doften call the teachers into his office and scold them forlateness, lazy work habits, and sloppy record-keeping. When Dr.McArthur arrives at his new position at the Willows High Schoolnext August, he will again create a hostile work environment.
EXAMPLE 2:
The following appeared in promotional literature for a billboardcompany:
Bye Bye Baby Store installed a large billboard on the side ofthe 95 highway exit. Sales of baby items in the store increased 13%in the next fiscal quarter. Dr. Mark Baldwin, a local dentist,would like to increase the profits of his dental practice. All thatneeds to be done is installing an advertising billboard next to ahighway exist and his patient load will increase tremendously.
EXAMPLE 3
The following appeared in a local newspaper:
Two weeks ago, 12 female college soccer players went to theGovernor’s office. They wanted to protest budget cuts forintercollegiate women’s sports. In the state, there are about30,000 female college athletes. Because only 12 women went to theprotest, obviously most female athletes don’t care at all about theGovernor’s funds for athletics. Therefore, there is no need for thegovernor to make any changes to his budget allocations.
