Phl 276 Critical Thinking Quiz 4

Consider this block of text:Our democracy is certainly in horrible disrepair, and the disengagement of so many, along with the flight into superficial forms of entertainment and life satisfaction, is understandable. But the deep love of and commitment to democracy expressed by great artists and the long tradition of scrutinizing the ravages of our imperialism are strong. Source: Cornel West, Democracy Matters, (New York: The Penguin Press) 2004, p.101 Is this an argument?  Why or why not? Give reasons in support of your answer.

Here is the same block of text again: Our democracy is certainly in horrible disrepair, and the disengagement of so many, along with the flight into superficial forms of entertainment and life satisfaction, is understandable. But the deep love of and commitment to democracy expressed by great artists and the long tradition of scrutinizing the ravages of our imperialism are strong. Source: Cornel West, Democracy Matters, (New York: The Penguin Press) 2004, p.101If you said this was an argument, write the conclusion in a complete sentence. On the other hand, if you think this is not an argument, say what type of non-argument, if any, you think it is.  Defend your answer.

Here is a new piece of text:Now that the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico is extending into a second month, blame is starting to be placed on President Barack Obama and the federal government. Perhaps some of this is fair, but let's face it, we're all responsible for this environmental apocalypse. That's because we all have demanded the excessive use of oil and gasoline.Have you owned a gas-guzzling SUV? Well then, you own some of the blame. Do you drive yourself to work rather than taking public transportation or car-pooling? Then you share in the blame, too.In retrospect, this well should not have been drilled in the first place. So let's all learn from this mistake and start taking conservation and alternative energy sources seriously and prevent this from happening again.Source:  "Oil slicks spell out case for new energy" (Letter to the Editor) by Bill Richardson, Detroit Free Press, June 7, 2010, http://www.freep.com/article/20100607/OPINION04/6070304/1072/opinion04/Oil-slicks-spell-out-case-for-new-energy accessed 6/7/2010 3:10 PM.  Is this an argument?  Why or why not? Give reasons in support of your answer.

Now that the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico is extending into a second month, blame is starting to be placed on President Barack Obama and the federal government. Perhaps some of this is fair, but let's face it, we're all responsible for this environmental apocalypse. That's because we all have demanded the excessive use of oil and gasoline. Have you owned a gas-guzzling SUV? Well then, you own some of the blame. Do you drive yourself to work rather than taking public transportation or car-pooling? Then you share in the blame, too. In retrospect, this well should not have been drilled in the first place. So let's all learn from this mistake and start taking conservation and alternative energy sources seriously and prevent this from happening again. Source:  "Oil slicks spell out case for new energy" (Letter to the Editor) by Bill Richardson, Detroit Free Press, June 7, 2010, http://www.freep.com/article/20100607/OPINION04/6070304/1072/opinion04/Oil-slicks-spell-out-case-for-new-energy accessed 6/7/2010 3:10 PM.If you said this was an argument, write the conclusion in a complete sentence. On the other hand, if you think this is not an argument, say what type of non-argument, if any, you think it is.  Defend your answer.

To give a discount is to__.   

• A.

  Weaken one’s claim so as to make it less susceptible to attack

• B.

  Anticipate and dismiss criticisms

• C.

  Indicate that backup reasons exist even if they are not presented

• D.

  Tell somebody not to worry quite so much about how bad your argument might be

• E.

  None of the above is what one does when giving an assurance.

Which of the following is not among the things one does when preparing an argument for logical analysis?

• A.

  Clarify the crucial terms

• B.

  Eliminate tangents and excess verbiage

• C.

  Be fair and charitable

• D.

  Think about whether you agree with what the arguer says or not

• E.

  All of the above are things one does when preparing an argument for logical analysis

Which of the following best describes what a report is in the critical thinking context?

• A.

  A report is a type of non-argument that clarifies another statement or set of statements.

• B.

  A report is a type of non-argument that lists facts about a person, event, or state of affairs.

• C.

  A report is a type of argument that is valid only when it clarifies another statement or set of statements.

• D.

  A report is a type of drawing commonly found in comic books and childrens literature.

• E.

  A report is just an unsupported statement of personal opinion.

In addition to what she asserts, to what else is a person committed?

• A.

  A person is committed to what she thinks about asserting

• B.

  A person is committed to what is consistent with what she asserts.

• C.

  A person is committed to what is logically implied by she asserts.

• D.

  A person is committed to what is supported by she asserts.

• E.

  All of the above

If Mark concedes Tyrone's point that LeBron is stronger than Kobe then that means__.

• A.

  Mark isn't going to argue against Tyrone's assertion that LeBron is stronger than Kobe.

• B.

  Tyrone doesn't have to argue for his assertion that LeBron is stronger than Kobe.

• C.

  Mark now has the burden of proof to show that Kobe is stronger than LeBron

• D.

  A and B

• E.

  None of the above

Suppose Selena always argues that Lady Gaga is a talented songwriter and performer, but that pop acts like Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys are untalented, and that their songs are terrible. One day she and Julie are arguing about whether or not Lady Gaga is talented, and Julie points out that before going solo, Lady Gaga wrote songs for Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys.  In response Selena says, "Well...okay, I'm not going to say she's a great songwriter anymore, but I still think she's a great performer."  Selena has__.

• A.

  Made a concession

• B.

  Made a retraction

• C.

  Discharged her burden of proof about Lady Gaga's songwriting

• D.

  A and C

• E.

  None of the above