There are three things you need in order to have a strong argument. A good argument comes with a good reason behind it. This means that the premises or arguments need to be plausible. Any argument needs to be believable. When something is not believable or seem to have no reason, this is called implausible or dubious. A good argument needs to have a strong conclusion so that it will not be questioned. Every argument can have a counter argument but if you have a good conclusion, it makes it hard for someone to develop many questions to argue it. A good conclusion with have good reasoning and proof.
Example: Kell is a cat. All cats stay indoors. So Kell is an indoor cat.
Analysis: The argument is true because there is proof that Kell is a cat. The conclusion can be true, but the premises is hard to prove that all cats are indoor cats. This is an example of a bad argument because of the premises, but the argument and conclusion do match up so it can still be considered an argument but not a strong one.
Hi Steph Powers! Good job on your blog post. I like that you defined what makes a good argument in the beginning of your post. I agree that a good argument should have good reasoning behind it as well. It is very clear and easy to understand. Good example of a weak argument, and I agree that the premises are difficult to prove to a reader because not all cats are indoors. The first premise, "Kell is a cat" is a probable premise because it is stating a fact.The reader cannot prove if that statement is true or false. But the second premise is weak.
ReplyDeleteHey Stephanie, this is Tina, one your group mates for the upcoming project! I like how you provided the details about different arguments very clearly. It is easily read and easy to understand for readers. It was well written and neatly organized that makes your post very interesting to read. Your example is very good, nice and simple. I like how you provided the analysis to back-up your example for a brief explanation on your point from your examples. “Kell is a cat” is considered as a true premise, but it is just only probable that “All cats stay indoors.” So, “Kell is an indoor cat” is just only a probability, which the conclusion may be or may not be true.
ReplyDeleteHave a good one!
Hi Steph Powers! For me, I like to know the definition of a word so I have more clear idea of what I am reading or doing. I like how you defined the word. For example, if there was no definition, I will have to look for it myself and it takes too much time. I would like to have the word and the definition right there so I don’t have to waste my time looking on dictionary.com or flipping the pages of a dictionary. The way you give your example is simple and good. You gave more information on why it was a good argument. BTW, I have an indoor cat and she is just 3 weeks old.
ReplyDeleteYour test for an argument is well written. You made it clear of what is considered a good argument. I like how you define it because it makes it easy to understand. I like how you mentioned that there are three steps for an argument to be good. I liked how you included that every argument has a counter argument, and a good conclusion is needed so it is hard to question. Having a good conclusion makes it difficult for people to argue against it. I agree with your argument. "Kell is a cat" is a true premise but it is not probably that "all cats stay indoors" which makes the conclusion either true or false. This is where the argument becomes weak. I like how you organized your blog. I like how you stated an example and then followed up with an explained analysis. You explained it well and I agree with your analysis.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog.
ReplyDeleteYour post was extremely clear and to the point. I had no problem understanding what you were explaining to me. I liked how you gave your very own definition of the word, and a clear and easy to comprehend definition it was. Knowing that "Kell is a cat" is true. Saying that she is an indoor cat is true. Now generalizing and saying that all cats stay indoors is definitely false. Just because Kell is an indoor cat, that does not necessarily mean all cats are. I personally know many cats that enjoy staying outside! Ha Ha. But good blog.