Logic Class Notes | The Paths of Knowledge
Stage 2
Assignment 3: Building Arguments.
In this assignment, you will explore the main components of arguments by building a cogent argument. In order to complete this assignment successfully, you need to watch the 3 videos first and obviously, keep track of what we discuss in class, since we will be discussing the terms and the concepts behind argumentation.
After watching the videos, you will respond to this topic by hitting reply answering, in a paragraph or two, the following questions:
How does knowledge differ from belief?
What is cogency and what does it mean for an argument to be cogent?
Can you explain what a sound argument is? How do premises relate to soundness?
After answering such questions, provide a cogent argument, clearly identifying your premises and your conclusion, about any situation you can think of or relate to. You can look up examples online to base on, but keep in mind that this site will automatically flag academic dishonesty (or plagiarism), so feel free to search examples online, but make sure you come up with your own, self made argument.
Do not worry if you don’t get it quite right this first time. You won’t be graded on soundness or validity, but timely participation, academic writing (grammar, spelling and coherent order of ideas), and on originality of your response. So don’t be afraid about whether what you are replying is entirely correct, but do spend some time in drafting a quality response that shows your interest in the class.
From the feedback left to your peers:
Think an argument as something you want to convince someone for or a way to prove some inference. Your statement does not identify the premises nor the conclusion, and it doesn’t seem like something you could claim to be true.
Come up with another claim as an argument, but clearly identify the premises and the conclusion. This means separating them and make it evident which are which. Then, after identifying them, you can create a statement.
Premises:
- NFL’s Super Bowl has a higher viewer rating that FIFA’s World Cup Final
- Advertising is the main revenue source for sport producers.
- The Super Bowl happens every 1 year, whereas the World Cup every 4.
Conclusion:
- NFL’s Super Bowl is more profitable than FIFA’s World Cup.
Your argument could be something like:
- [conclusion] because [premise A] and [premise B].
- Since [premise A] and [premise B], then [conclusion].
- Because [premise A] and [premise B], it follows that [conclusion].
- [premise A] and premise [B], therefore [conclusion].
As you can see, there is a point of debate. Anyone willing to counterargument could do some research and prove me wrong, BUT since my premises are true, and there is a logical path from my premises to my conclusion, my argument is valid as much as it is sound. NOTE: this doesn’t make the argument true. It just makes it cogent.
If you were to say: “What, that is not true! It can’t be!” then you would have to come up with your own premises and your own conclusion, which in this case should support your rejection of my argument.
You might have to spend some time thinking, but believe me, this thinking does great for you in ways you can’t imagine!
