Turns out that evaluating an argument's validity and strength is more complex than just simple analysis. In the Epstein text, the author states how there are three tests to measuring an argument's persuasiveness.
- The premises are plausible - reasoning could be true.
- The premises are more plausible than the conclusion- check if the conclusion is an appropriate result from the reasons being given.
- The argument is valid or strong - Overall reasoning of argument is true.
Filipinos like to sing kareoke, dance, and study nursing.
Errol is Filipino
So Errol is musically gifted and generally awesome.
Analysis: The argument is valid because the premise of Errol being Filipino is a fact and therefore true, also the conclusion is known to be true as well. The argument is weak though because the premise of Filipinos liking to sing, dance, and nurse isn't generalized to ALL Filipinos so therefore Errol being musically gifted and awesome doesn't have to be because he is Filipino but could be because of other reasons. Maybe it's because he's been trained on several instruments, active in various clubs and orgs, or maybe he was born this way? Nonetheless, even if the premises are true and conclusion correct, the argument is weak and therefore bad.
Hi Errol :)
ReplyDeleteI love your example because I can relate completely. Being Filipino, actually being Asian, always has its stereotypes attached to it. "You can't drive," "You can play any instrument," "You're short," the list is endless. Most of the time people don't realize that these stereotypes aren't always true.
Your argument overall says there's an endless possibility of reasons these statements can hold, which makes the argument weak. I really wish that the examples in the book had this. I would've understood the concept of 'what makes a good argument' a lot more. Keep it up!! See you soon. :)
Hey. So you're example is good. This is like stereotypical statement saying Filipinos like to sing karaoke and do other stuff, but it does not mean every Filipinos are like the same. Even though I do have Filipino friends that like to sing and dance, I have many other friends that also like to sing and dance. I am Chinese and the stereotype for that is Chinese people are short. The fact is, I am short, but not all my friends are short. I have some really tall Chinese friends and that just showed that that statement is not true.
ReplyDeleteHey:). So this is probably the funniest post I've read on here by far. It's probably funny because that really IS the Filipino stereotype, or maybe because you said you were "born this way," or maybe because you're "generally awesome" haha, which I'm sure you are. Really though, this is a great example of a bad argument because I, personally, do not like singing karaoke, I cannot dance, I am not majoring in nursing, and I am Filipino. Therefore, I'm a prime example to disprove your argument. Overall, great post; your posts are always interesting and they make your reader, or at least me, understand your point clearly.
ReplyDeleteHello Illestv,
ReplyDeleteYou had an interesting choice of example. I have actually heard those stereotypes about Filipinos before. Your examples were straight forward and easy to understand. It may be possibly true that some Filipinos like to do karaoke, dance and study nursing but it does not mean all Filipinos like to do that. In fact, some Filipinos might even hate doing that and dislike being stereotyped. I actually have some Filipino friends that are not musically gifted and does not study nursing. The last premises is faulty. Therefore, we do not know if Errol is musically gifted and or awesome.