Слайд 2Why is it important to think about reasoning and arguments?
Assess the following
argument:
Most people prefer a to b;
Most people prefer b to c;
Therefore most people prefer a to c.
Does the conclusion follow from the premisses (reasons)?
Слайд 312 children 3 vegetables
Most children like Asparagus better than Beetroot
Most children like
Beetroot better than Carrot
Therefore most children like Asparagus better than Carrot
Could the premisses be true and the conclusion false?
Слайд 4Most people prefer a to b;
Most people prefer b to c;
Therefore most people prefer a to c?
NO!!! The conclusion does not follow from the premisses
Слайд 5Speeding
Being aware of the dangers of driving too fast is not sufficient
to stop people from speeding. Many drivers are still exceeding the speed limits. A recent campaign has emphasised the dangers of driving too fast, by showing home videos of children who were subsequently killed by speeding motorists.
Слайд 6Task
All women are mortal
The American president is mortal
Therefore the American president is
a man
All men are mortal
The American president is mortal
Therefore the American president is a man
If the reasons given above were true, could the conclusions be false?
See if you can construct an argument where – if the reasons are true, the conclusion MUST be true.
Слайд 7Example
All men are mortal
The American President is a man
Therefore the American President
is mortal
All bachelors are unmarried
John is a bachelor
Therefore John is unmarried
All swans are white
This bird is a swan
Therefore this bird is white