Question 15 (1 Point) An Argument, According To The Philosophical Use Of The Word, Can Be Defined As An Emotional Disagreement.True False ---Question 16 (1 Point) You Should Not Lie To Your Best Friend Is An Example Of:A. A Descriptive Claim B.

Mar 1, 2025 by ADMIN 252 views

Understanding Arguments and Claims: A Philosophical Perspective

What is an Argument?

In the realm of philosophy, an argument is a complex and multifaceted concept that has been debated and analyzed by scholars for centuries. At its core, an argument is a form of reasoning that involves the presentation of evidence, premises, and conclusions to support a particular claim or point of view. However, the question of whether an argument can be defined as an emotional disagreement is a matter of ongoing debate among philosophers.

The Definition of an Argument

According to the philosophical use of the word, an argument is not simply an emotional disagreement. Rather, it is a structured and systematic presentation of evidence and reasoning that is designed to persuade or convince others of a particular point of view. This definition emphasizes the importance of logic, evidence, and reasoning in the construction of an argument.

In contrast, an emotional disagreement is often characterized by a lack of evidence, a reliance on personal feelings or biases, and a failure to engage with opposing viewpoints. While emotional disagreements can be intense and passionate, they are not typically considered to be arguments in the philosophical sense.

Types of Claims

Claims are statements that express a particular point of view or opinion. They can be classified into different types, including descriptive claims, prescriptive claims, and evaluative claims.

Descriptive Claims

A descriptive claim is a statement that describes a fact or a situation. For example, "The capital of France is Paris" is a descriptive claim because it describes a fact about the location of the capital of France.

Prescriptive Claims

A prescriptive claim is a statement that expresses a moral or ethical judgment. For example, "You should not lie to your best friend" is a prescriptive claim because it expresses a moral judgment about the behavior of lying to a friend.

Evaluative Claims

An evaluative claim is a statement that expresses an opinion or evaluation about something. For example, "The movie was excellent" is an evaluative claim because it expresses an opinion about the quality of the movie.

The Example of "You Should Not Lie to Your Best Friend"

The statement "You should not lie to your best friend" is an example of a prescriptive claim. This statement expresses a moral judgment about the behavior of lying to a friend, and it is designed to persuade or convince others of the importance of honesty in relationships.

In this case, the statement is not a descriptive claim because it does not describe a fact or a situation. Rather, it is a prescriptive claim because it expresses a moral judgment about the behavior of lying to a friend.

Conclusion

In conclusion, an argument is not simply an emotional disagreement. Rather, it is a structured and systematic presentation of evidence and reasoning that is designed to persuade or convince others of a particular point of view. The example of "You should not lie to your best friend" is a prescriptive claim that expresses a moral judgment about the behavior of lying to a friend.

Key Takeaways

An argument is a structured and systematic presentation of evidence and reasoning that is designed to persuade or convince others of a particular point of view.
An emotional disagreement is not typically considered to be an argument in the philosophical sense.
Claims can be classified into different types, including descriptive claims, prescriptive claims, and evaluative claims.
The statement "You should not lie to your best friend" is an example of a prescriptive claim that expresses a moral judgment about the behavior of lying to a friend.

References

The Oxford Handbook of Argumentation Theory edited by Frans H. van Eemeren and Rob Grootendorst: This book provides an overview of the principles of argumentation theory and the structure of arguments.
The Cambridge Companion to Argumentation edited by Frans H. van Eemeren and Rob Grootendorst: This book provides an introduction to the principles of argumentation and the structure of arguments.

Discussion Questions

What is the difference between an argument and an emotional disagreement?
Can you provide an example of a descriptive claim, a prescriptive claim, and an evaluative claim?
How do you distinguish between a fact and an opinion?
Can you provide an example of a prescriptive claim that expresses a moral judgment about a particular behavior?

Answers to Discussion Questions

An argument is a structured and systematic presentation of evidence and reasoning that is designed to persuade or convince others of a particular point of view. An emotional disagreement is not typically considered to be an argument in the philosophical sense.
A descriptive claim is a statement that describes a fact or a situation. A prescriptive claim is a statement that expresses a moral or ethical judgment. An evaluative claim is a statement that expresses an opinion or evaluation about something.
A fact is a statement that can be verified or proven to be true. An opinion is a statement that expresses a personal viewpoint or evaluation.
An example of a prescriptive claim that expresses a moral judgment about a particular behavior is "You should not lie to your best friend."
Q&A: Understanding Arguments and Claims

Q: What is the difference between an argument and an emotional disagreement?

A: An argument is a structured and systematic presentation of evidence and reasoning that is designed to persuade or convince others of a particular point of view. An emotional disagreement, on the other hand, is often characterized by a lack of evidence, a reliance on personal feelings or biases, and a failure to engage with opposing viewpoints.

Q: Can you provide an example of a descriptive claim, a prescriptive claim, and an evaluative claim?

A: Here are some examples:

Descriptive claim: "The capital of France is Paris." This statement describes a fact about the location of the capital of France.
Prescriptive claim: "You should not lie to your best friend." This statement expresses a moral judgment about the behavior of lying to a friend.
Evaluative claim: "The movie was excellent." This statement expresses an opinion about the quality of the movie.

Q: How do you distinguish between a fact and an opinion?

A: A fact is a statement that can be verified or proven to be true. An opinion, on the other hand, is a statement that expresses a personal viewpoint or evaluation. For example, "The sky is blue" is a fact because it can be verified through observation. "The sky is beautiful" is an opinion because it expresses a personal viewpoint.

Q: Can you provide an example of a prescriptive claim that expresses a moral judgment about a particular behavior?

A: Here are some examples:

Prescriptive claim: "You should not lie to your best friend." This statement expresses a moral judgment about the behavior of lying to a friend.
Prescriptive claim: "You should respect the rights of others." This statement expresses a moral judgment about the behavior of respecting the rights of others.
Prescriptive claim: "You should not cheat on a test." This statement expresses a moral judgment about the behavior of cheating on a test.

Q: How do you evaluate the strength of an argument?

A: There are several ways to evaluate the strength of an argument:

Look for evidence: Does the argument provide evidence to support its claims?
Check for logical fallacies: Does the argument rely on logical fallacies, such as ad hominem attacks or straw man arguments?
Consider alternative perspectives: Does the argument consider alternative perspectives or opposing viewpoints?
Evaluate the conclusion: Is the conclusion of the argument supported by the evidence and reasoning presented?

Q: Can you provide an example of a strong argument?

A: Here is an example of a strong argument:

Claim: "We should invest in renewable energy sources."
Evidence: "Renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly cost-competitive with fossil fuels, and they have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change."
Reasoning: "Therefore, we should invest in renewable energy sources to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change."
Conclusion: "We should invest in renewable energy sources because they are becoming increasingly cost-competitive and have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change."

Q: Can you provide an example of a weak argument?

A: Here is an example of a weak argument:

Claim: "We should invest in renewable energy sources."
Evidence: "I just feel that we should invest in renewable energy sources."
Reasoning: "Therefore, we should invest in renewable energy sources because I feel that it is the right thing to do."
Conclusion: "We should invest in renewable energy sources because I feel that it is the right thing to do."

This argument is weak because it relies on personal feelings rather than evidence and reasoning. It also fails to consider alternative perspectives or opposing viewpoints.

Q: How do you respond to a weak argument?

A: Here are some ways to respond to a weak argument:

Ask for evidence: Ask the person to provide evidence to support their claim.
Point out logical fallacies: Point out any logical fallacies in the argument, such as ad hominem attacks or straw man arguments.
Consider alternative perspectives: Consider alternative perspectives or opposing viewpoints.
Evaluate the conclusion: Evaluate the conclusion of the argument and determine whether it is supported by the evidence and reasoning presented.

Q: Can you provide an example of a rebuttal to a weak argument?

A: Here is an example of a rebuttal to a weak argument:

Original argument: "We should invest in renewable energy sources because I feel that it is the right thing to do."
Rebuttal: "I understand that you feel strongly about investing in renewable energy sources, but I would like to see some evidence to support your claim. Can you provide some data or statistics to show that investing in renewable energy sources is the best option for our community?"
Counterargument: "I agree that investing in renewable energy sources is a good idea, but I think we should also consider the cost of implementing these new technologies. Can we afford to invest in renewable energy sources at this time?"
Conclusion: "I think we should take a more nuanced approach to investing in renewable energy sources. We should consider the evidence and the costs before making a decision."

This rebuttal is effective because it:

Asks for evidence: It asks the person to provide evidence to support their claim.
Points out logical fallacies: It points out the logical fallacy of relying on personal feelings rather than evidence and reasoning.
Considers alternative perspectives: It considers alternative perspectives or opposing viewpoints.
Evaluates the conclusion: It evaluates the conclusion of the argument and determines whether it is supported by the evidence and reasoning presented.