Symbolic and Critical Reasoning - IAP 101

Identifying Assumptions and Value Conflicts

Todays Class
Turn in papers. Whats coming up in this class Review Ch. 4 What Are the Value Conflicts and Assumptions? Ch. 5 In Class Reflection

Whats coming up NEXT!

Quest One week from now! Presentations: July 14th -related to Final Paper

 Meaning

Types of Ambiguity

Imprecise Language (nice, very, interesting) Tone (I didn't say that vs. I didn't say that) Irony (How was the movie?) Damnation of faint praise Quoting out of context or selectively Ambiguous position (ex: popular music group) Grammatical ambiguity

Whenever we make an argument there are always hidden values and assumptions. Values - the unstated ideas that people see as worthwhile. Assumption - an unstated belief that supports the argument. Reasons + (VALUES/ASSUMPTIONS) = Conclusion

What are the Value Conflicts and Assumptions? (Ch. 5)

Examples of Values
Justice Tradition Creativity Individuality Community Courage Responsibility Peace Rationality Freedom of Speech Honesty Generosity

In Class Reflection
Make a list of at least 7 of your values.

Agree or Disagree
Censorship of entertainment is important for a culture. High School students must take physical education classes (exercise classes). Women should not be allowed to drive cars.

Find the Value/Assumption

Murder is wrong. A woman should not have the right choose whether she wants to abort her baby or not. If you are under 21, students should not be allowed to drink alcohol.

Murder is wrong. Value a persons right to life over a persons right to kill. A woman should not have the right choose whether she wants to abort her baby or not. The life of the fetus is more valuable than a womans right to choose. If you are under 21, students should not be allowed to drink alcohol. Value safety of students over students free choice.

Loyalty - Honesty

Common Value Conflicts

Should you tell your parents that your brother is doing drugs? Order - Freedom of Speech Should we punish people with radical ideas? Generosity - Material Success Should we be concerned about poor people? Tradition - Novelty Should divorces be easily available?

How to find Value Assumptions!

1. Look at the authors background 2. Ask, Why is the conclusion so important to the author? 3. Look at the opposite. Think about the opposite position and what values the opposte person might have.

Example
Should students learn how to think critically? Thinking critically takes lots of time, can be difficult, and can be stressful. Therefore, students should not learn critical thinking. Should students learn how to think critically? Thinking critically takes lots of time, can be difficult, and can be stressful. (C)Therefore, students should not learn critical thinking.

Example
Should students learn how to think critically? Thinking critically takes lots of time, can be difficult, and can be stressful. Therefore, students should not learn critical thinking. Value Conflict / Assumption? Your immediate time, non-difficulty, and lack of stress, are more important than being reasonable, curious, and intelligent.

Lets Think Critically

Speeding is a big problem on Payap Universitys campus. Obviously, people are not being responsible and driving slowly. Therefore, Payap needs more speed bumps.

Speeding is a big problem on Payap Universitys campus. Obviously, people are not being responsible and driving safely. (C)Therefore, Payap needs more speed bumps. Speeding is a big problem on Payap Universitys campus. Obviously, people are not being responsible and driving safely. Therefore, Payap needs more speed bumps. Speeding is a big problem on Payap Universitys campus. Obviously, people are not being responsible and driving slowly. Therefore, Payap needs more speed bumps.

Anything wrong here?

This argument SEEMS like it makes sense. However, this reason people are not being responsible and driving safely. does not necessarily support the conclusion: Therefore, Payap needs more speed bumps. This reason only supports the conclusion if you already believe Payap should do something like speed bumps. Reasons + (VALUES/ASSUMPTIONS) = Conclusion

What are the Value Conflicts and Assumptions?

Speeding is a big problem on Payap Universitys campus. Obviously, people are not being responsible and driving safely. Therefore, Payap needs more speed bumps. This author values Payap authority over individual responsibility. Individual responsibility - Authority

Another Example
Salary should be based on productivity. Competition makes people work hard. Therefore, the workplace should offer competitive wages Value Conflict? Competition is valued over Cooperation

Another Example
If the staff respects each other, they create an environment that is healthy and productive. Therefore, the workplace should offer a team environment with even wages. Value Conflict? Cooperation is valued over Competition

Homework
Read Chapter 6 of Asking the Right Questions Prepare for Quest Be thinking about your final paper topic