1 / 6

Causal Arguments

Causal Arguments. “X causes/does not cause Y” (often linked to proposal arguments: need to “systematically explore the causes of a problem” and “predict and weigh the consequences of alternative solutions” (W.A. 229). Problems of Causality. “forced” vs. “motivated” (W.A., 230)

donald
Download Presentation

Causal Arguments

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. Causal Arguments “X causes/does not cause Y” (often linked to proposal arguments: need to “systematically explore the causes of a problem” and “predict and weigh the consequences of alternative solutions” (W.A. 229)

  2. Problems of Causality • “forced” vs. “motivated” (W.A., 230) • recurring phenomena or trends • one-time occurrence • oversimplified cause • universal qualifier (“all”) vs. existential qualifier (“some”) • immediate vs. remote causes • contributing causes: conditions that lead to a precipitating cause (the “trigger”) • constraints: “negative cause that limits choices & possibilities” (W.A., 241)

  3. Causal logos, ethos, pathos • Logos weaker in causal arguments b/c causality (re Hume) is inferred not seen • Can increase logos with chain of reasons • Ethos enhanced by looking at other potential causes and by knowledge of subject • Pathos increased by convincing audience of importance of issue

  4. Methods • Causal mechanism explained • Inductive reasoning can lead to causal link (pattern recognition) • informal induction • scientific experimentation • correlation • Analogy or Precedent

  5. Resemblance Arguments (“X is/is not like Y” • Arguments by analogy • undeveloped • extended • Arguments by precedent

  6. Choose a causal format • 1 – chronological • explain all the links in a causal chain • 2 – multiple causes • ¶ for each cause, familiar to most surprising • 3 – unexpected cause • reject other expected causes ¶ by ¶ • 4 – to change audience’s mind about cause • summarize and refute opponent’s causal argument • present your own causal argument

More Related