英语思辨能力培养 lecture 1 - Introduction to Argument

1、Lessons from Monty Python- Argument is not just contradiction.- Argument is an intellectual process.- Argument is a collected series of statements to establish a definite proposition.An argument is.A set of propositions (命题) whereOne is said to be true,ANDThe other(s) are being given as reasons to b

2、elieve the truth of that one.Definition of an Argument今天星期二。山谷老师每个星期二穿灰色的马甲。因此山谷老师今天会穿灰色的马甲。It is Tuesday. Glenn always wears a grey waistcoat on Tuesday, so Glenn will be wearing a grey waistcoat today.这个立论有什么主张?Conclusion (结论) : the proposition said to be truePremises (前提) : the proposition(s) bei

3、ng offered as reasons to believe the conclusion今天星期二。山谷老师每个星期二穿灰色的马甲。因此山谷老师今天会穿灰色的马甲。It is Tuesday. Glenn always wears a grey waistcoat on Tuesday, so Glenn will be wearing a grey waistcoat today.结论是什么？结论是什么？前提是什么前提是什么? ?今天星期二。 山谷老师每个星期二穿灰色的马甲。山谷老师今天会穿灰色的马甲。IMPORTANT: An argument is a set of proposi

4、tions, but not all sets of propositions are arguments.Sets of propositions that are not arguments may:Have no relationship to each other at allORHave a relationship but not the same kind as arguments do这些句子是不是立论这些句子是不是立论?21%的空气是氧气.哈尔滨在黑龙江省.这些呢这些呢?21%的空气是氧气。因此哈尔滨在黑龙江省。Argument is not an innate qualit

5、y (天生的特点) of propositions. Rather, its something we do with propositions.At about 11am the rain stopped and the clouds parted. Then the sun came out.Since Chengdu is west of Wuhan and Urumqi is west of Chengdu, Urumqi is west of Wuhan.Witches (女巫们) float because witches are made of wood and wood flo

6、ats.Since Jesse James left town with his gang (一帮), things have been a lot quieter.Which ones are arguments?People who diet lose weight. Since Falstaff hasnt lost weight, he cannot have dieted.第一前提: People who diet lose weight.第二前提: Falstaff hasnt lost weight.结论: Falstaff hasnt dieted.Different Uses

7、 of Premises“It is right to ban cigarette advertising because it encourages young people to start smoking. But even if it had no such influence on young people, it would be right to ban it because it could give existing smokers the mistaken impression that their habit is socially acceptable.”第一前提: C

8、igarette advertising encourages young people to start smoking.第二前提: Cigarette advertising gives smokers the impression smoking is socially acceptable.结论: It is right to ban cigarette advertising.Different Uses of PremisesIn the first example, the premises build on each other, leading to the conclusi

9、on. But if we remove a premise, the conclusion loses all support.In the second example, the premises give independent reasons for the conclusion. If we remove a premise, the conclusion still has some support.Different Uses of PremisesWe can call these:Joint Premises&Independent PremisesDifferent

10、 Uses of PremisesWhat is the structure of this argument?“A majority of prospective parents would prefer to have sons rather than daughters. So, if people can choose the sex of their child, it is likely that eventually there will be many more males than females in the population. A preponderance of m

11、ales in the population is likely to produce serious social problems. Therefore, we should discourage the use of techniques which enable people to choose the sex of their child.”Different ConclusionsPremise 1: Most prospective parents prefer sons to daughters.Premise 2/Intermediate conclusion: If people can choose the sex of their child, t