Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Favorite and Non Favorite thing about the class….
My favorite thing about the class is that it is an online class, and it is a good pace type of class for the summer. You are not overloaded with too many things to do, unlike my Geology 105 online class where they overwhelm you with work and assignments. The professor is great, and very understanding. Coursework applies to what we have to do within our regular lives, so it makes it more useful. We learn how to use it and relate in real life situations. Although, one of my not so favorite thing about the class is the group work; it is not saying that I detest it, but it was a bit of a hassle trying to meet up with group members and get things done. Otherwise, the class over all was great, but maybe next time it would be better if there were more explanation lecture for each chapter from the professor to better explain it, sometimes certain chapters are pretty confusing from the book; and I think many students get boggled by it.
Concepts that might need further discussions….
I think that one concept that needs further discussion is the Aristotelian logic. The concept is quite confusing to me. In fact, I believe that earlier on, there was another concept that uses the whole if S then P theory that confuses me. I really hate these forms of explanations; it just seems to confuse me more than anything. The whole concept is so confusing. If all S are P then No S is are P or some S is or are P, and some S is or are not P. Then there is the some is P and some is S thing. If there was a way to put that in plain simple English instead of a theory form so that it is easier to understand it might help. Or, it might help to have more examples of it. Because reading, it without any further discussion, help, or examples regarding it makes it hard to understand. I have read it at least twice already, and it is still not clear to me.
What I learned…..
Through out this summer, this class has been overall, very interesting. It has made me observe and look at things around me a bit differently. I no longer take things at face value. When I am looking at an advertisement, commercial, debate, argument, or just a regular conversation I now try to decipher and analyze it with all the techniques taught to me within this summer course. How to depict a fallacy or a misleading with numbers and graphs are a few examples of what I have learned through this class. Another thing that this class made me realized is the importance of communication and cooperation within a team; whether in person or virtually, a cohesive team, makes it much easier to get things done. There many challenges that I did not realize that go with working with a team within a virtual sense, and how easy it is. We ran into difficulties with scheduling a free time for our teams to meet, but once we got over that hump, knowing that we can meet with each other online, makes it a bit easier for us to meet online and talking about our projects. This was a bit easier than trying to get everyone to meet in person.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Particular Cause & Effect
Cause and Effect claims is when understand that there is a result due to an action. Within the realm of cause and effect claims, there are different types of cause and effect claims. Examples of a few types of cause and effect claims are normal conditions, general cause and effect, and particular cause and effect. We are going to look at a particular cause and effect claim. It is, according to Epsteins' book of Critical Thinking, when "this happened once, then that happened once."(pg. 303) In general, it is when you have a specific action that causes a specific result.
For example - there was a situation when my brother and sisters were young, where they had gotten into an argument. This was when my brother was 5 and my sister was 7. My sister went up to me and said, "Khoa hit me, and it hurts!" There was a specific action that happened, with a specific result.
For example - there was a situation when my brother and sisters were young, where they had gotten into an argument. This was when my brother was 5 and my sister was 7. My sister went up to me and said, "Khoa hit me, and it hurts!" There was a specific action that happened, with a specific result.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Chp. 13 Misleading Claims with Numbers - Apples & Oranges.
Aside from claims that uses emotions, reasoning, fallacies, and general claims, there are also forms of misleading claims dealing with numbers. When we look at advertisements or claims that we see within a statistical arena, those numbers that are used, is used to form a claim. One has to be cautious about claims that comes with numbers or graphs, because sometimes they are not accurate. Just because a claims comes with percentage or numbers of statistical observation, does not make the claim true or a matter of fact. One still has to be very careful in acknowledging these claims with numbers and be able to try to differentiate to see if it is misleading type of claim or not. Here are some types of misleading claims such as two times zero is still zero claim, percentage claims, graph claims, and claims that compare apples and oranges. Claims that compare percentiles or numbers in an apple and orange method, is very misleading. It is not comparing items/situations of similarity, but two entirely different ones.
For example, my mom would sometimes get very upset and disappointed with my brother's and sisters from time to time. When she does, she would say, "even a dog can understand that, i don't know why you can't!" Harsh, I know. But in this comparison, you can see that my mother is comparing apples and oranges, since a human and a dog are two different things.
Another example, and example with apple and oranges and misleading numbers - Sometimes when I am talking to my friends, regarding subjects in life and community, we sometimes run into this problem. There was one time, we had talked about drugs and the changes it cause within our community. My friend had said...."There are twice as many people using ecstasy as there are those who are smoking cigarettes."
For example, my mom would sometimes get very upset and disappointed with my brother's and sisters from time to time. When she does, she would say, "even a dog can understand that, i don't know why you can't!" Harsh, I know. But in this comparison, you can see that my mother is comparing apples and oranges, since a human and a dog are two different things.
Another example, and example with apple and oranges and misleading numbers - Sometimes when I am talking to my friends, regarding subjects in life and community, we sometimes run into this problem. There was one time, we had talked about drugs and the changes it cause within our community. My friend had said...."There are twice as many people using ecstasy as there are those who are smoking cigarettes."
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Usefulness of Major Assignments
The major assignments that we had done, Critical Thinking in News and Politics ( the first major project) and Critical Evaluation of a Social Organization (the second major project), were very useful. It had helped many of us to better learn how to work within a group environment, especially a more web based one rather than face to face. This was in some sense a bit easier way to meet with groups, from my experience. This is especially true for me and my groups, since many of my group members were on different schedule, having a web base type of meeting sometimes does help, because we do not to have to prolong the meeting time which sometimes slows down the work productivity. Besides this, what else is useful from doing these two major assignments is the re-iteration information that we have just recently learned. The projects are based on subjects that we have learned about within our Critical Thinking book by Epstein, which makes to review and apply it to our project. This helps, in my opinion, remember the information regarding the subjects learned.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Reasoning By Analogy
Reasoning by analogy, according to Epstein in the Critical Thinking book, is when "a comparison becomes a reasoning by analogy when it is part of an argument; On one side of the comparison we draw a conclusion, so on the other side we should conclude the same." From what I understand, this basically means that there are two sides to a comparison and analogy, and from those two sides, you have to make a decision in which way you want to agree upon. Analogies, according to the book, can be a form of a non-argument,they are only forms of suggestions of how a certain situation, idea, law, rule, or logic should be. Either way, it is an important form of reasoning towards an argument, in which we use in everyday life to decide.
For example:
My brother and my dad always gets into arguments, and in on incident, they were debating about how my brother does not pay attention to what they have to tell him when is playing games. In response to that, my brother says: "Talking to me while I am playing games, is like talking to a tree. I won't be able to pay attention to what you had just told me."
This is a form of comparison of a reasoning analogy.
For example:
My brother and my dad always gets into arguments, and in on incident, they were debating about how my brother does not pay attention to what they have to tell him when is playing games. In response to that, my brother says: "Talking to me while I am playing games, is like talking to a tree. I won't be able to pay attention to what you had just told me."
This is a form of comparison of a reasoning analogy.
Appeal to Emotion
The idea of the appeal to emotion in chapter 10 of Epstein book, "Critical Thinking," is to use the human sense of emotion of fear, pity, vanity, spite, and feel-good of oneself to get the viewers to agree or accept what is being advertised or shown to them. Take for example the emotion appeal of fear, this is commonly use in commercials and adds that would want you to think twice about something or want you to stop doing or using something. A few examples are advertisement for anti-smoking, or anti-tobacco companies, and even anti-drunk drivers. Also, advertisements for things such as abortion, or unprotected sex also uses scare or fear tactics of the emotion of appeal to hopefully prevent their viewers from doing, what they would think, would be the wrong thing to do. Emotion appeal of fear is also a way that many politicians use to try to manipulate viewers for their own benefit. Take for example the campaign going on right now with Meg Whitman and John Brown for the seat of Governor of California. You can see that they try to use the fear tactic by bashing each others in their adds about all the bad things that each opponent have done in the past, and then asking you as the viewer if you would REALLY want someone like that governing your state.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Page 195 Number: 3
http://best-photoshop-tutorials.blogspot.com/2009/06/40-brilliant-anti-smoking-ad-campaigns.html
I had found an advertisement website for anti-smoking campaign. These advertisements use the emotional appeal of fear. The fear of what happens if one smokes or keeps smoking. It is an advertisement protesting against the nicotine and tobacco company and the people who use. It is portraying how harmful cigarettes are to, not only our own personal health, but also to those around us. This form of emotional appeal, in my perspective works very well, because it relates smoking to death. One of the fear that many have, or the fear of being ill or sick. It also a good argument, because there are statistical and scientific research over the years that helps prove to many that smoking does harm to your body and others around you. Although these advertisements are in picture form, but it is a very profound and strong of advertisement, seeing how dramatic each advertisement is and adamant about not smoking. An emotional appeal is an appeal, a form of claim or argument that touches on the premises of human sensibility and emotions. I believe these advertisement did a good job in pointing that out.
I had found an advertisement website for anti-smoking campaign. These advertisements use the emotional appeal of fear. The fear of what happens if one smokes or keeps smoking. It is an advertisement protesting against the nicotine and tobacco company and the people who use. It is portraying how harmful cigarettes are to, not only our own personal health, but also to those around us. This form of emotional appeal, in my perspective works very well, because it relates smoking to death. One of the fear that many have, or the fear of being ill or sick. It also a good argument, because there are statistical and scientific research over the years that helps prove to many that smoking does harm to your body and others around you. Although these advertisements are in picture form, but it is a very profound and strong of advertisement, seeing how dramatic each advertisement is and adamant about not smoking. An emotional appeal is an appeal, a form of claim or argument that touches on the premises of human sensibility and emotions. I believe these advertisement did a good job in pointing that out.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Interpersonal Dimensions of Group Evaluation
In a group environment, where team members agree upon or decide to meet regularly there will tend to be some disagreements or conflicts. The main goal or focus in these types of group environment, is to be able to recognize when the conflicts is no longer a conlfict of the project itself, but of personalities. Therefore, that is why groups like these needs to plan in their group a periodic performance evaluation. Assessing where they stand and their progress to their goals, the cohesiveness of the group, and the problems that the exists in the group and how to resolve it.
Group Evaluation is a tool that group members can use to do this. There are three different dimensions to this: Informational, Procedural, & Interpersonal.
Interpersonal dimension is the last of the three dimensions in the group evaluation. It is where the group focuses on the relationships of each individual team members that are there. Because in any event, if there is conflict within the group between team members, it will present to the group a sense of uncomfortableness. Which, in return will strain the group, leaving them unable to be productive towards their project.
Things to address that would help the group are:
1. Positive reinforcement - For example, in my previous group projects from previous semesters, we found that in order to make group members to feel confident and not left out; We would often praise each team members on the things that they do right. This gives them confidence - a form of positive reinforcement.
2. Solidarity - Example: From a previous group project, the team leader had planned out for us parts of the projects that we will do with each other, and others for individual work. This helps bring out each individuals creativity and sense of individual accomplishment.
3. Cooperativeness - Example: In my previous groups when we came together, we had first created a list of rules or values that all of us agreed upon. This is considered our group culture - this is what we use to remind ourselves our responsibility as a group and what is to be expected.
4. Respect Towards Others - Example: Before, we initiate that we are a group, we take time out to learn about each other, to find out how compatible we are. After, we agree upon being in the same group, we use our created group culture and rules to guide us in being respectful to each other.
Group Evaluation is a tool that group members can use to do this. There are three different dimensions to this: Informational, Procedural, & Interpersonal.
Interpersonal dimension is the last of the three dimensions in the group evaluation. It is where the group focuses on the relationships of each individual team members that are there. Because in any event, if there is conflict within the group between team members, it will present to the group a sense of uncomfortableness. Which, in return will strain the group, leaving them unable to be productive towards their project.
Things to address that would help the group are:
1. Positive reinforcement - For example, in my previous group projects from previous semesters, we found that in order to make group members to feel confident and not left out; We would often praise each team members on the things that they do right. This gives them confidence - a form of positive reinforcement.
2. Solidarity - Example: From a previous group project, the team leader had planned out for us parts of the projects that we will do with each other, and others for individual work. This helps bring out each individuals creativity and sense of individual accomplishment.
3. Cooperativeness - Example: In my previous groups when we came together, we had first created a list of rules or values that all of us agreed upon. This is considered our group culture - this is what we use to remind ourselves our responsibility as a group and what is to be expected.
4. Respect Towards Others - Example: Before, we initiate that we are a group, we take time out to learn about each other, to find out how compatible we are. After, we agree upon being in the same group, we use our created group culture and rules to guide us in being respectful to each other.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Chapter 7 - Refuting an Argument
To refute an argument, is to counter it or prove it being false. There are three ways that an argument can be refuted: 1. Refuting directly, 2. Refuting indirectly, and 3.Attempts to refute that are bad arguments.
I would like to talk to you about refuting directly.
Refuting directly - is when you have a direct, straightforward argument to counter an argument.
Example:
Argument: It is useless and impossible for someone to learn any martial arts by sitting here, trying to catch flies with chopsticks.
Direct Refute of Argument: It is not useless or impossible for someone to learn martial arts by trying to catch flies with chopsticks. In fact, I have done it, and I have learned a form of martial arts that is important, patience.
There are a few fundamentals for direct refuting an argument. According to the book, these are:
1. Show that at least one of the premises is dubious.
2. Show that the argument isn't valid or strong.
3. Show that the conclusion is false.
I would like to talk to you about refuting directly.
Refuting directly - is when you have a direct, straightforward argument to counter an argument.
Example:
Argument: It is useless and impossible for someone to learn any martial arts by sitting here, trying to catch flies with chopsticks.
Direct Refute of Argument: It is not useless or impossible for someone to learn martial arts by trying to catch flies with chopsticks. In fact, I have done it, and I have learned a form of martial arts that is important, patience.
There are a few fundamentals for direct refuting an argument. According to the book, these are:
1. Show that at least one of the premises is dubious.
2. Show that the argument isn't valid or strong.
3. Show that the conclusion is false.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Contradictory of a Claim - Chapter 6
According to the book, a contradictory claim is a claim that has an opposite type of "truth-value" or a negative/negation of a claim.
Examples of a claim:
John is eating
Thao will be going to the mall or she will go to the movies.
Mom will pick dad up from the airport, or he will take a taxi home.
Examples of contradictory of a claim:
John is not eating
Thao will not be going to the mall, and she will not be going to the movies.
Mom will not pick dad up from the airport, and he will not take a taxi home.
Basically a contradictory of a claim is the opposite of the original claim. It doesn’t matter of the original claim is a negative form or positive, it will turn to the opposite of it.
For example, if in my original claim, my first part of it is negative and my second part of the claim is positive; the contradictory of that claim is that my negative part of the claim will turn into a positive one, while my positive part of the claim will turn into a negative one.
Examples of a claim:
John is eating
Thao will be going to the mall or she will go to the movies.
Mom will pick dad up from the airport, or he will take a taxi home.
Examples of contradictory of a claim:
John is not eating
Thao will not be going to the mall, and she will not be going to the movies.
Mom will not pick dad up from the airport, and he will not take a taxi home.
Basically a contradictory of a claim is the opposite of the original claim. It doesn’t matter of the original claim is a negative form or positive, it will turn to the opposite of it.
For example, if in my original claim, my first part of it is negative and my second part of the claim is positive; the contradictory of that claim is that my negative part of the claim will turn into a positive one, while my positive part of the claim will turn into a negative one.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Concealed Claims - Making It Sound Nasty or Nice
Within a Concealed Claim, the argument can be a slanter, or a loaded question; or it can make it sound nasty or nice. It can also can downplay or up-play the argument or the players. I rather like the explanation of how it can make an argument or player sound nasty or nice, from the book. It reminds me a lot of politicians and their play with words to either win our hearts or blind us from the truth. Or sometimes, to either soften what they want to be soften in their favor. I realize this might be a strong sense of opinion in my part, but it is how i perceive it. Making it sound nasty or nice is a form where one uses either one of these styles, euphemism and dysphemism.
Euphemism - by definition, from the book, is a word or phrase that makes something sound better than its original description or claim.
Dysphemism - by definition, from the book, is a word or phrase that makes something sound worse than its original description or claim.
When I was little, my family had a family friend whose daughter was crazy, due to lots of drug abuse. We all knew that she was crazy or there was something wrong with her. One time, I remember one of my aunts gossiping about their family, and they were talking about how they feel sorry the family because they had a crazy child. But, instead of using the word crazy, the re-phrased it. They said,"How unfortunate that the family had a 'Special' child. Poor thing, there is something wrong with her head." - This I believe, will suffice as a euphemism.
An acquaintance I knew, was very peculiar in his manners and characteristics. There wasn't anything wrong with him per-say, he just has a lack of socializing skills. He is blunt, can be abrupt, and speaks very little, unless needed. But, in all a gentle human being. This did not fit well with one of my female friends (She is a much older lady friend). I had heard her says, "Oh, that man is a brute of a man. He is rude, cocky, and has such ugly manners.Very mean, he is. I'm sure if could rip your heart out with his glare, he would! " - This is an example of a Dysphemism.
Euphemism - by definition, from the book, is a word or phrase that makes something sound better than its original description or claim.
Dysphemism - by definition, from the book, is a word or phrase that makes something sound worse than its original description or claim.
When I was little, my family had a family friend whose daughter was crazy, due to lots of drug abuse. We all knew that she was crazy or there was something wrong with her. One time, I remember one of my aunts gossiping about their family, and they were talking about how they feel sorry the family because they had a crazy child. But, instead of using the word crazy, the re-phrased it. They said,"How unfortunate that the family had a 'Special' child. Poor thing, there is something wrong with her head." - This I believe, will suffice as a euphemism.
An acquaintance I knew, was very peculiar in his manners and characteristics. There wasn't anything wrong with him per-say, he just has a lack of socializing skills. He is blunt, can be abrupt, and speaks very little, unless needed. But, in all a gentle human being. This did not fit well with one of my female friends (She is a much older lady friend). I had heard her says, "Oh, that man is a brute of a man. He is rude, cocky, and has such ugly manners.Very mean, he is. I'm sure if could rip your heart out with his glare, he would! " - This is an example of a Dysphemism.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Advertisement & Internet
Advertisement is a form of marketing, which is used to entice customers to buy products. The world of advertisement use to rely on news paper ads that are then sent to customers personal home and through television, but now, among everything else, its also through, via the internet. Advertisement through the internet or not, according to the book, advertisement is also a for of argument. An argument of persuasion. Where the premises may be true or it may be false.
One can look at an advertisement, and may or may not believe the claim. For example, I had seen an advertisement on television and online regarding a facial product line, called Meaningful Beauty. In the advertisement it said, it is a product made from a rare type of melon found in France, and it helps reduce wrinkled skin, and tighten pores, and makes your skin look even tone and healthy. It even claims that Cyndy Crawford uses this product for herself on a day to day basis. The advertisement also claimed that, if this product were to be bought outside, it would cost hundreds of dollars, but if you order from them, then they will reduce the pricing to just a payment of $39.95, and satisfaction guarantee or your money back. I was excited to see if there product really works, since I have been looking for a facial product line for myself and nothing I have tried so far had worked. Therefore, I had gone ahead and ordered the product to try it out.
The result was that it did not work. Not only did it not work, but the product itself had cause my skin to be irritated when using it. When I had tried to return the product, I was charged an shipping and handling fee, which was not mentioned when I had originally ordered it.
Below is the link to thier website:
http://www.meaningfulbeauty.com/
One can look at an advertisement, and may or may not believe the claim. For example, I had seen an advertisement on television and online regarding a facial product line, called Meaningful Beauty. In the advertisement it said, it is a product made from a rare type of melon found in France, and it helps reduce wrinkled skin, and tighten pores, and makes your skin look even tone and healthy. It even claims that Cyndy Crawford uses this product for herself on a day to day basis. The advertisement also claimed that, if this product were to be bought outside, it would cost hundreds of dollars, but if you order from them, then they will reduce the pricing to just a payment of $39.95, and satisfaction guarantee or your money back. I was excited to see if there product really works, since I have been looking for a facial product line for myself and nothing I have tried so far had worked. Therefore, I had gone ahead and ordered the product to try it out.
The result was that it did not work. Not only did it not work, but the product itself had cause my skin to be irritated when using it. When I had tried to return the product, I was charged an shipping and handling fee, which was not mentioned when I had originally ordered it.
Below is the link to thier website:
http://www.meaningfulbeauty.com/
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Content Fallacies
Fallacies are arguments, bad arguments that are not repairable. It is an argument of a comment, opinion, or fact that is prone to falsity with little premises. Content fallacies are whenthe premises (generic premises) of an argument is "dubious", as the book would say(Epstein, Critical Thinking). And there's nothing to support its conclusion. But, as the book pointed out, these premises can sometimes be true rather than false. There are many different types of content fallacies, such as false dilemma, slippery slope, and appleal to the emotion.
False Dilemma - is when you have an "either" or "or" situation, where you might believe that there is only two options you can choose from. But in reality, there might be more than just those two options you are confronted with.
Example: My dad always tells my brother that he either gets straight A's in school and be successful, or don't and be a bum for the rest of his life.
In this situation, there are other options that my brother can have. He doesn't necessarily have to have all straight A's in school to be successful. There are other ways to be successful too. Just look at Bill Gates, and how he turned out to be a success, even though he didn't go to college. Therefore, what my dad is not entirely correct.
False Dilemma - is when you have an "either" or "or" situation, where you might believe that there is only two options you can choose from. But in reality, there might be more than just those two options you are confronted with.
Example: My dad always tells my brother that he either gets straight A's in school and be successful, or don't and be a bum for the rest of his life.
In this situation, there are other options that my brother can have. He doesn't necessarily have to have all straight A's in school to be successful. There are other ways to be successful too. Just look at Bill Gates, and how he turned out to be a success, even though he didn't go to college. Therefore, what my dad is not entirely correct.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Something New I Learned
In the book, Essential Guide to Group Communication, by Dan O'hair there was something that I had read that interested me. There was a section that talked about developing critical thinking skills and what strategies to help to develop or further develop those skills.
The strategies are:
1. To consider multiple perspectives, instead of just one, since one can be subject to error.
2. You have to clarify your values, because this helps you understand what your goals and purpose are.
3. You also have to clarify the issue or question at hand, so that you can make it into a clear statement.
4. Another part of the strategy is to evaluate the information so that you can see where the source of the information is coming from. Verify if it is valid or not, and clarify it is an opinionated statement or based on backed up evidence.
5. Also, according to the books strategy, you have to identify any contradictions that might come up.
6. Take a step back, and take a look at the big picture. This way you can develop a fuller understanding of what you are doing.
7. After looking at the big picture and finding a valid source of your issue, then you would now want to pursue it by exploring to see what part of it is valid and what part is false, to extract out the faulty parts.
8. After all the steps above, and you have finally finalize what your issue is, and what is true or false about it, it is now time for you to summarize it with relevant facts and evidence in a way that the public can understand.
9. After summerizing your issue and values, it is now time for you to draw a conclusion, or in some cases a solution.
The strategies are:
1. To consider multiple perspectives, instead of just one, since one can be subject to error.
2. You have to clarify your values, because this helps you understand what your goals and purpose are.
3. You also have to clarify the issue or question at hand, so that you can make it into a clear statement.
4. Another part of the strategy is to evaluate the information so that you can see where the source of the information is coming from. Verify if it is valid or not, and clarify it is an opinionated statement or based on backed up evidence.
5. Also, according to the books strategy, you have to identify any contradictions that might come up.
6. Take a step back, and take a look at the big picture. This way you can develop a fuller understanding of what you are doing.
7. After looking at the big picture and finding a valid source of your issue, then you would now want to pursue it by exploring to see what part of it is valid and what part is false, to extract out the faulty parts.
8. After all the steps above, and you have finally finalize what your issue is, and what is true or false about it, it is now time for you to summarize it with relevant facts and evidence in a way that the public can understand.
9. After summerizing your issue and values, it is now time for you to draw a conclusion, or in some cases a solution.
Friday, June 18, 2010
STRONG & VALID ARGUMENTS
Strong Argument:
"Every time I drink an alcoholic beverage, my face turns red, and I get itchy hives all over my body. Therefore, I must be allergic to alcohol."
This is a strong argument, because when a person is allergic to something, one tends to get itchy red bumps over one's body or get a puffy skin reaction to it, along with shortness of breath, or all the above. Since, I get an itchy red bump reaction, along with a shortness of breath when I drink alcohol, then the result must be that I have an allergic reaction towards it. But, at the same time, the conclusion of my statement can be false, since it might not bey an allergic reaction, but an reaction due to my body weight and how much alcohol I can intake, and how fast it is absorb into my system.
Valid Argument:
"When you go to an amusement park such as Great America or Six Flags, you have to pay for an entrance fee. John is in the amusement park, therefore, he must have paid an entrance fee.
This a valid argument, because amusement parks such as Great America or Six Flags do require an entrance fee to spend a day in their park. Hence, it is a true premise.
A valid argument, is where the premises (a premises - is a proposition upon which an argument is based on or from which a conclusion is made) is true, and no chance of it having a false conclusion. If it has a true premise and a false conclusion to it, then it is most likely an invalid argument. Whereas, a Strong Argument, may have a true premise but it can have a possible false conclusion.
"Every time I drink an alcoholic beverage, my face turns red, and I get itchy hives all over my body. Therefore, I must be allergic to alcohol."
This is a strong argument, because when a person is allergic to something, one tends to get itchy red bumps over one's body or get a puffy skin reaction to it, along with shortness of breath, or all the above. Since, I get an itchy red bump reaction, along with a shortness of breath when I drink alcohol, then the result must be that I have an allergic reaction towards it. But, at the same time, the conclusion of my statement can be false, since it might not bey an allergic reaction, but an reaction due to my body weight and how much alcohol I can intake, and how fast it is absorb into my system.
Valid Argument:
"When you go to an amusement park such as Great America or Six Flags, you have to pay for an entrance fee. John is in the amusement park, therefore, he must have paid an entrance fee.
This a valid argument, because amusement parks such as Great America or Six Flags do require an entrance fee to spend a day in their park. Hence, it is a true premise.
A valid argument, is where the premises (a premises - is a proposition upon which an argument is based on or from which a conclusion is made) is true, and no chance of it having a false conclusion. If it has a true premise and a false conclusion to it, then it is most likely an invalid argument. Whereas, a Strong Argument, may have a true premise but it can have a possible false conclusion.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Subjective & Objective Claims
Within the "Critical Thinking," book by Epstein, it talks about arguments and how it can be subjective or objective. According to the book, a Subjective claim is a claim that is true or false, which depends on what someone, something, or some group thinks. But, if it is a subjective claim that almost everyone agrees on, it is called and intersubjective claim. Whereas, an Objective claim, according to the book, is a claim that is not subjective and invokes impersonal standards.
Example of a subjective claim:
- The Opera is boring.
This is an subjective claim, because the opera might be considered boring to me, but it might not be to someone else that might actually enjoy the opera.
Example of objective claim:
- A package of Verona Strawberry cookies from Pepperidge Farm has 140 calories.
This is an objective claim, because it does not depend on a belief of a person or group, but based on facts.
Example of a subjective claim:
- The Opera is boring.
This is an subjective claim, because the opera might be considered boring to me, but it might not be to someone else that might actually enjoy the opera.
Example of objective claim:
- A package of Verona Strawberry cookies from Pepperidge Farm has 140 calories.
This is an objective claim, because it does not depend on a belief of a person or group, but based on facts.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Introduction
Hello,
I am a senior at San Jose State, and planning to graduate this coming spring with a degree in Human Resource Administrative Management. My real name is Anne Nguyen. I have very little experience with communication or public speaking, aside from my comm20 class and class project presentations. Hopefully this class will teach me more regarding communication and how to communicate well with others. :) There are many things I like to do during my spare time, but mostly I like going to the beach whenever I can. My favorite season is autumn, and I enjoy playing the piano, and taking pictures (not usually of myself, but others, objects, nature, and landscape) whenever time permits. I also love to garden, and watch the plants grow and bear fruits/vegetables. My favorite sports are Hockey, and football ( Soccer to most of you). If given a chance, I would love to be able to travel the world. Watching the world cup right now!! Woot!! :)
I am a senior at San Jose State, and planning to graduate this coming spring with a degree in Human Resource Administrative Management. My real name is Anne Nguyen. I have very little experience with communication or public speaking, aside from my comm20 class and class project presentations. Hopefully this class will teach me more regarding communication and how to communicate well with others. :) There are many things I like to do during my spare time, but mostly I like going to the beach whenever I can. My favorite season is autumn, and I enjoy playing the piano, and taking pictures (not usually of myself, but others, objects, nature, and landscape) whenever time permits. I also love to garden, and watch the plants grow and bear fruits/vegetables. My favorite sports are Hockey, and football ( Soccer to most of you). If given a chance, I would love to be able to travel the world. Watching the world cup right now!! Woot!! :)
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