Parallel Arguments

1
Parallel Arguments

• An argument is said to parallel another if the
  two both have a similar structure. The subject
  matter does not have to be similar at all.

2
Parallel Arguments

• The accident happened because the driver was
  careless. The driver was careless because he had
  been drinking and the level of alcohol in his
  bloodstream was well above the legal limit. So
  the accident happened because the driver had been
  drinking to excess.
• Which of the following most closely parallels
  this argument?

3
Accident
Being careless
Being careless
Drinking
Therefore-
Accident
Drinking
4

• A When the price of potatoes drops, it is usually
  because the weather is good. This year the
  weather has been good.
• B Rainbows occur because of a combination of
  sunshine and rain clouds. Well see a rainbow
  soon, because at the moment we can see both
  sunshine and rain clouds.
• C Children have tooth decay and get fat because
  of too much sugar. Sally eats too much sugar.
  Because of this, she will have tooth decay and
  get fat.
• D The dinner is burnt because I forgot about it.
  I forgot about it because the phone rang and I
  had to answer it. So the dinner is burnt because
  I had to answer the phone.
• E Eric slept in this morning because he went to
  bed late last night. He went to bed late because
  he was working late. He must have been working
  late because he was revising for his exam.

5

• A When the price of potatoes drops, it is usually
  because the weather is good. This year the
  weather has been good.
• B Rainbows occur because of a combination of
  sunshine and rain clouds. Well see a rainbow
  soon, because at the moment we can see both
  sunshine and rain clouds.
• C Children have tooth decay and get fat because
  of too much sugar. Sally eats too much sugar.
  Because of this, she will have tooth decay and
  get fat.
• D The dinner is burnt because I forgot about it.
  I forgot about it because the phone rang and I
  had to answer it. So the dinner is burnt because
  I had to answer the phone.
• E Eric slept in this morning because he went to
  bed late last night. He went to bed late because
  he was working late. He must have been working
  late because he was revising for his exam.

6
Burnt dinner
Forgetting about it
Forgetting about it
Answering the phone
Therefore-
Burnt dinner
Answering the phone
7
Example
Not answering
No answer
Still on holiday
Still on holiday
Never not answers
X Y or Z Never Y therefore Z
8
(No Transcript)