What are the Reasons ??
Once you have identified the issue and conclusion, you need to understand why an author has come to a certain conclusion. reasons are the why. If the author provides good reasons, you might be persuaded to accept her conclusion. However, right now, we are simply concerning with identifying the reasons. Identifying the reasons is the next step in deciding whether you should accept or reject the author's conclusion.
What are the Value Conflicts and Assumptions ??
Anyone trying to convince you to believe a particular position will make an attempt to present reasons consistent with that position. Hence, at first glace almost every argument appears to " make sense ". The visible structure looks good. But the visible, stated reasons are not the only ideas that serve to prove or support the conclusion.
Hidden or unstated beliefs may be at least as significant in understanding the argument. [1]
In all arguments, there will be certain ideas taken for granted by the writer. Typically, these ideas will not be stated. You will have to find them by reading between the lines. These ideas are important invisible links in the reasoning structure, the glue that holds entire argument together. Until you supply these links, you can not truly understand the argument.
If you miss hidden links, you will often find yourself believing something that had you been more
reflective, you would never have accepted.
The visible surface of an argument will almost always be dressed in its best clothes because the person presenting the argument wishes to encourage you to make the argument your own.
Careful thought is mush more demanding of our energies than would be another decision-making approach like flipping a coin or asking the nearest self-confident expert what you should think and do. Critical thinkers believe that " Autonomy ", " Curiosity ", and " Reasonableness " are among the most important of human objectives.
The end-product of critical thinking is someone who is open to multiple points of view, assesses those perspectives with reason, and then uses that assessment to make decisions about what to believe and what actions to take. [2]
To fully understand an argument, you must identify the assumptions.
Assumptions Are :
- hidden or unstated / in most cases)
- taken for granted
- influential in determining the conclusion
- potential deceptive
Value Assumptions. (Creative and Invention which derived from)
" Value Assumptions " are very important assumptions for such arguments because they are directing the reasoning behind a screen. The person trying to communicate with you may or may not be aware of these assumptions. You should make it a habit to identify the value assumptions on which the reasons are based.
A writer's preference for particular values is often unstated, but that value preference, nevertheless, will have a major impact on her conclusions and on how she chooses to defend it.
The " Magnitude " of a consequence may have a major impact on value preferences.
- One may value conservation over efficiency only when efficiency may cause " Significant " damage to the environment.
- One may value " Economic Freedom " over " Economic Security " only as long asunemployment stays below a given level.
- Investigate the author's background.
- Ask : Why do the consequences of the author's position seem so important to her ??
- Search for similar social controversies to find " Analogue " values assumption.
- Use " Reverse " role-playing. Take a position opposite the author's position and identify which values are important to that opposite position.
- Look for value conflicts : " Individual Responsibility " versus " Community Responsibility ".
Why are you looking for assumptions in the first place ?? you are looking because you want to be able to judge how well the reasons support the conclusions. Thus, look for what the writer or speaker would have had to take for granted to link the reasons and conclusion.
Keep asking !!
How do you get from the reason to the conclusion ??
If the reason is true, what else must be true for the conclusion to follow ??
Supposing the reason is true, is there any way in which the conclusion nevertheless could be false ??
Sometimes a reason is resented with no explicit support; yet the plausibility of the reason depends on the acceptability of ideas that have been taken for granted.
When you identify descriptive assumptions, you are identifying the link between the reason and the author's conclusion. if this link is flawed, the reason does not necessarily lead to the conclusion. Consequently, identifying descriptive assumptions allows you to determine whether an author's reason lead to the conclusion. you will want to accept the conclusion when there are good reasons that lead to a conclusion. Thus, when you determine that the link between the reason and the conclusion is flawed, you will want to be reluctant to accept the author's conclusion.
Issue :
Should other countries establish the minor league system to train the baseball players ??
Conclusion :
Other countries should establish the minor league system to train the baseball players.
Reason :
The grading system is beneficial for players to promote their ability step by step.
What ideas must be taken for granted for this reason to be acceptable ??
We assume that :
- The performance will be well done and reflective of ability of players in the minor league.
- Players will understand and practice skills of baseball and be able to play at higher level games.
You may find the reason why other countries can not compete with MLB in payroll and the top
baseball players come to MLB.
Nimitz Aircraft Carrier.
Issue :
Should Super Power need the aircraft carrier to patrol the ocean all over the world ??
Conclusion :
Super Power needed aircraft carrier to patrol the ocean and protect the interest...
Reason : ...
Since the era of the battleship had been gone, the aircraft carrier becomes the symbol of the state.
Automobile : Home = Aircraft Carrier : Nation. How do you think ?
No comments:
Post a Comment