Ch' 7: Arguments Based on Fact

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Ch. 7 Arguments Based on Fact Reason

• EH 1302
• Fall 2005

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Fact Reason-Based Arguments

• Most of us respect logical appeals based on
• Facts
• Evidence
• Reason
• Logic
• However, we tend to want to test the facts
  against our feelings and the character and values
  of those making the appeals.

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Fact Reason-Based Arguments

• We arent computers, so we dont look at every
  problem objectively.
• When writers persuade, they usually try to give
  readers good reasons to believe them.
• A good argument relies on logical appeal (logos),
  but even logical arguments may need degrees of
  emotion (pathos) and personal credibility (ethos).

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Logical Arguments

• Aristotle divided logical proofs into 2 kinds
• Inartistic appeals
• Hard evidence
• Facts
• Statistics
• Clues
• Testimonies
• Artistic appeals
• Reason common sense

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Logical Arguments

• Hard Evidence
• Arguments based on facts and testimony are
  preferred over arguments based in reason.
• Put a lot of faith in claims that can be counted,
  measured, or photographed.
• Gathered scientific support for prosecution of
  criminals.
• Gathered data over a long period of time to prove
  point about effects of Title IX.

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Logical Arguments

• Aristotle
• Arguments can be reduced to 2 components
• Statement proof
• (Claim supporting evidence)

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Logical Arguments

• Different forms of factual evidence.
• What forms you use will depend on the kind of
  argument you are making.
• Facts
• Statistics
• Surveys, Polls, Studies
• Testimonies, Narratives, Interviews

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Logical Arguments

• Facts
• Facts are stubborn things. John Adams
• Make strong arguments
• Gathering information
• Transmitting information
• Must be believable/from an honest source
• Compelling enough to stand alone
• According to CNN
• In a book published by Oxford University Press

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Logical Arguments

• Facts
• Arguing with facts sometimes involves challenging
  claims made by reputable sources.
• Critics of CNN or NYT
• Look critically at facts before you use them.
• Test reliability
• Report with needed qualifiers

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Logical Arguments

• Statistics
• Figures lie and liars figure.
• Tables, graphs, reports, comparison of numbers.
• Can lie with numbers, even if they are accurate.
• Ask how the numbers were gathered.
• Ask how the numbers were interpreted.
• Both factors bear on credibility of statistical
  arguments.
• http//www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/mil_arm_per
• http//www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/cri_adu_pro

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Logical Arguments

• 1.United States 14,203,822 (1999)
• 2.Turkey 2,060,065 (1999)
• 3.United Kingdom 1,504,730 (1999)
• 4.Korea, South 1,196,482 (2000)
• 5.Thailand 572,083 (2000)
• 6.Germany 568,661 (1999)
• 7.Canada 377,667 (1999)
• 8.Netherlands 177,062 (1999)
• 9.Finland 165,229 (2000)
• 10.Japan 145,872 (2000)

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Logical Arguments

• Statistics
• Numbers almost always need writers to interpret
  them
• Writers almost always have agendas that influence
  their interpretations
• example pg. 105
• Unemployment in U.S. just over 5
• Means 95 of American have jobs!
• Means millions of Americans are without jobs!

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Logical Arguments

• Statistics
• Dont think all numbers are meaningless or
  untrustworthy.
• Understand the role that you play in using them
  wisely in your own arguments.
• Example pg. 106-107 on cameras at red lights

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Logical Arguments

• Surveys, Polls, Studies
• Surveys, polls produce statistics
• Help people make decisions.
• Provide persuasive reasons for action or
  intervention.
• Most 6th graders cant find Wyoming on map.
• Therefore, we need better instruction in
  geography.

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Inartistic Appeals

• HARD EVIDENCE
• Surveys, Polls, and Studies
• Produce statistics, so we need to pay attention
  to them.
• How are they written and administered?
• Who is administering them?
• Who is reporting the results/numbers?
• What stake do they have?
• Use them responsibly

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Logical Arguments

• Surveys, Polls, Studies
• Be sure you survey enough people to be accurate.
• 3/5 people surveyed
• Over half of the students surveyed think we
  dont need chapel every day.
• Be sure those surveyed are representative.
• Those surveyed need to be students who are
  required to go to chapel every day.
• Be sure those surveyed are randomly chosen.
• Dont choose your friends just so you can get the
  results you want to get.

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Logical Arguments

• Surveys, Polls, Studies
• Can be affected by the way questions are asked.
• Some can skew answers by the way questions are
  worded.
• pushing poll

Do you think we need to go to chapel every
day? You dont think we need to go to chapel
every day, do you?
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Logical Arguments

• Testimonies, Narratives, Interviews
• Evidence can also be qualitative
• Can support arguments with human experiences,
  reliable witnesses
• Personal experience
• Personal observations (ethnography)