Lazy Eights or Lets be Elephants!!

1. Lazy Eights or Lets be Elephants!!

2. What is a FLAW in an ‘Argument’? • Objectives • To understand what is meant by the term FLAW • To be introduced to some of the different types of Flaw that can be found. Is your argument based on good evidence? Flaw – an error or weakness in the reason supporting the conclusion

3. What is a FLAW in an ‘Argument’? A Starter A crisp packet has been left on the floor in the Sixth Form Common room, therefore the Sixth Form do not use bins and should be punished Can you explain why this is not a good argument for punishing the Sixth Form (what is the error in the reasoning?)

4. What types of FLAW are there?

5. What types of FLAW are there? Read through the information on the different types of flaw and have a go at the activities

6. Other Flaws in Reasoning How to spot a problem/weakness in an argument.

7. Other Types of Flaw

8. What is a FLAW in an ‘Argument’? A Plenary Try this exam question and be ready to explain your answer • There is evidence to show that birds of prey, such as kestrels and buzzards, prefer to hunt for their prey near busy roads than in open countryside. Furthermore, they prefer to hunt near busy roads rather than quiet roads. This evidence can be explained in a number of ways. For one thing, a busy road like a motorway provides a steady stream of fast moving traffic which the birds can adjust to more easily than the sight and sound of the occasional vehicle on quiet roads. For another, motorway verges which provide open areas for hunting, and shrubs of useful perching height. This evidence shows that plans to expand our road building program are good news for wildlife.. • Which of the following is the best statement of the flaw in the above argument? • The author fails to explain the distinction between ‘busy’ and ‘quiet’ roads • The evidence on birds of prey is insufficient to draw a conclusion about wildlife in general • The evidence on birds of prey fails to explain why such birds prefer ‘busy’ to ‘quiet’ roads • The author fails to provide information on the details of the road building programme • The evidence on birds of prey fails to explain why they prefer to hunt near roads rather then in open countryside

9. Appeals to…… An Appeal is ‘a rhetorical device trying to sway an audience by emotional persuasion rather than rational argument.’ Sometimes appeals are made to a particular thing to lend weight to the argument even though they do not add any strength to the argument itself

10. Authority…. The latest report on global warming has been endorsed by the top 70 scientists internationally recognised as leaders in this field. Fear…….. We must protect the West from terrorism therefore the invasion of Iraq with its weapons of mass destruction and connections with Al Qaeda was not only justified but necessary. Appeals to…

11. Pity……. You should give the job to Mike. He is a single parent family with three children. He is unemployed and has struggled since his wife left him 6 months ago. Popularity……. 8 out of 10 owners said their cats preferred it Buy Ariel – Britain’s best selling washing powder. Appeals to….

12. Novelty…….. We urge schools to adopt the new syllabus. It is based on the most modern thinking and represents a great leap forward in educational thinking. Irrelevant appeals. I am thinking of changing my farm to an organic system. My friend John, an accomplished London barrister well respected in the legal profession, has advised me to do this since there is a fast growing market for organic produce Appeals to……