Formulating Persuasive Arguments Flashcards

A city council member makes the following statement during a debate about a proposed new contemporary art museum: 'The committee advocating for this museum is composed of artists and academics who have no understanding of fiscal responsibility or the practical needs of our citizens. We should not entertain proposals from such an out-of-touch group.' What is the primary flaw in the council member's reasoning?

Answer: It attacks the character of the proposal's supporters rather than the merits of the proposal itself.

The council member's argument is an 'ad hominem' fallacy. Instead of addressing the actual proposal for the museum—its cost, location, benefits, or drawbacks—the argument dismisses it by attacking the perceived character and background of the people who support it. The validity of an idea is independent of the person or group proposing it.

Principle: 'A law should not be so broad that it criminalises behaviour that is generally considered innocent.' Which of the following scenarios describes a law that is most likely to be criticised for violating this principle?

Answer: A law intended to prevent loitering which makes it illegal for any person to stand still on a public pavement for more than one minute.

This law is overly broad. While intended to prevent loitering, it would criminalise perfectly innocent behaviour, such as waiting for a friend, looking at a shop window, or waiting for a traffic light to change. The principle states that laws should be tailored to target specific wrongful acts, not common, innocent activities.

Argument: 'To improve public safety, the city must install more CCTV cameras in the town square. Increased surveillance is a proven deterrent to street crime, as potential offenders are less likely to act if they know they are being watched.' Which of the following is a necessary assumption made in this argument?

Answer: Potential offenders are aware that the CCTV cameras are present and functioning.

The argument's central claim is that cameras act as a deterrent because offenders fear being watched. This deterrent effect can only work if the offenders know they are being watched. If the cameras are hidden or if potential criminals do not believe they are functional, they would have no deterrent effect, and the argument's entire premise would be undermined.

A law firm is considering making its summer internship programme unpaid, arguing that the value of the experience and the professional connections interns make are a form of compensation in themselves. Which of the following statements, if true, would most weaken the firm's argument?

Answer: Unpaid internships disproportionately exclude talented students from lower-income backgrounds who cannot afford to work for free.

This statement weakens the firm's argument by introducing a serious negative consequence that goes beyond the concept of compensation. It suggests the policy is not just about a different form of 'payment' but that it creates a systemic barrier to entry for a specific group, raising issues of fairness and diversity that undermine the idea that the experience is a sufficient or equitable substitute for a salary.

Read the following passage: 'The rise of 'fast fashion' has made clothing more affordable and accessible than ever before. *This democratisation of style allows individuals to participate in current trends regardless of their economic status.* However, this comes at a significant environmental cost, with increased textile waste and carbon emissions from production and transportation. Therefore, despite its apparent benefits for consumers, the fast fashion model is ultimately unsustainable.' What function does the second sentence perform in the argument?

Answer: It presents a counter-argument or opposing viewpoint that the author acknowledges.

The sentence acknowledges a positive aspect or a potential argument in favour of fast fashion ('democratisation of style'). The author then immediately pivots using the word 'However' to introduce the negative aspects that form the basis of their main conclusion. This technique of acknowledging an opposing point before refuting or overriding it is a common persuasive strategy.

Argument: 'Every document that was submitted late was rejected. This particular document was not submitted late. Therefore, this particular document was not rejected.' Which of the following exhibits the same flawed reasoning as the argument above?

Answer: Anyone who wins the lottery is happy. Susan did not win the lottery. Therefore, Susan is not happy.

The original argument contains a logical flaw known as 'denying the antecedent.' Its structure is: If P, then Q. Not P. Therefore, not Q. This is invalid because other reasons could exist for Q to be true (a document could be rejected for reasons other than being late). The argument about Susan perfectly mirrors this flawed structure: If you win the lottery (P), you are happy (Q). Susan did not win the lottery (Not P). Therefore, Susan is not happy (Not Q). This is flawed because Susan could be happy for other reasons.