The Basics (continued) Chapter 1: Second of Two Parts.

The Basics (continued)

Chapter 1: Second of Two Parts

Divide the following statements into two groups

1. Does God exist? Yes! I was brought up as a Christian!

2. Turtles can walk backwards! I’ve seen ‘em!

3. Does God exist? Yes! Something created the universe!

4. Turtles can walk backwards when they feel like it.

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Two items are arguments.

1. Does God exist? Yes! Something created the universe!

2. Turtles can walk backwards! I’ve seen ‘em!

3. Does God exist? Yes! I was brought up as a Christian! [no argument]

4. Turtles can walk backwards when they feel like it. [no argument]


Which are arguments?1. I got sick because I didn’t get enough rest over

the weekend.

2. The governor should resign because everyone has lost faith in his leadership ability.

3. Pine trees are called “evergreens” because they don’t lose their leaves.

4. You are making a mistake wearing that outfit because it looks tacky.

5. Jennifer doesn’t wear outfits like that because she thinks they look tacky.


Only two arguments!1. I got sick because I didn’t get enough rest over

the weekend.

2. The governor should resign because everyone has lost faith in his leadership ability.

3. Pine trees are called “evergreens” because they don’t lose their leaves.

4. You are making a mistake wearing that outfit because it looks tacky.

5. Jennifer doesn’t wear outfits like that because she thinks they look tacky.


What’s the difference between the following two statements???1. “There is a lot of smoke in here because there

is a fire out there.”

2. “There is a fire out there because there is a lot of smoke in here.”

Only # 2 is an argument!

A closer look…


1. “There is a lot of smoke in here because there is a fire out there.”

2. “There is a fire out there because there is a lot of smoke in here.”

Cause!Evidence!


Write two statements of the form “X because Y.” Make only one an argument.

Example:

1. She just finished working out because she is sweating.

2. She is sweating because she just finished working out.

Argument! Gives a reason for thinking she just finished working out.


Moral: “X because Y!” might be an ARGUMENT: She just finished working out because she is

sweating.

Might also be CAUSE/EFFECT EXPLANATION: She is sweating because she just finished

working out.


NEW DISTINCTION:

Objective vs. Subjective


DIVIDE INTO TWO GROUPS1. Rice vinegar tastes better than white vinegar.

2. White vinegar removes lipstick stains; rice vinegar doesn’t.

3. None of the Supreme Court justices is competent.

4. Nine authors collaborated on that article.

5. Microsoft shares are significantly overpriced.


Three claims are SUBJECTIVE!1. Rice vinegar tastes better than white vinegar.

2. White vinegar removes lipstick stains; rice vinegar doesn’t.

3. None of the Supreme Court justices is competent.

4. Nine authors collaborated on that article.

5. Microsoft shares are significantly overpriced.


“Subjective judgment”: true if you think it is true

“This class is challenging!” “Hillary is lots of fun.” “That baby has a very

large tongue.”

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© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Objective judgment: it’s truth is INDEPENDENT of what you think.

“There are over 300 students in this class.” “The Dow Jones went up yesterday.” “There is life on Mars.”


Which of these is subjective?1. “That is a scary movie.”

2. “That movie scared me.”


Which of these is subjective?1. “Tastes great!”

2. “Less filling!”

Both!


Which of these is subjective?1. “Teach doesn’t care

if you wear a baseball cap in class.”

2. “It is silly for Teach to care if you wear a baseball cap in class.”


And which of these is subjective?1. “These shirts are for sale.”

2. “These shirts are on sale.”

Neither! Both are objective.


Once more: Which is subjective?1. “God exists.”

2. “God doesn’t exist.”

Neither.


Again: Subjective judgment: its truth depends on

what you think; if you think it is true, it’s true for you, and you can’t be mistaken.

Objective judgment: its truth depends on objective fact, not on what you think.


Last concept:

“Value judgment”


A value judgment judges the merit or praiseworthiness or desirability of someone or something.


Examples: “The best looking car ever? That would not be

the Scion.” “Bush was the best president since the one who

came before him.” “It was wrong for you to eat all their cheese.”


More examples: “Professor Stooler is one ugly dude.” “The side-stroke is superior to the crawl.” “You should honor your parents.” “I don’t deserve to be flunked!”


NOT value judgments: “Susan cheated on the final.” “Jennifer’s field goal percentage is higher than

Nicole’s.” “The Congressman lied to the grand jury.” “John Kerry has an unusual chin.”


Unfortunately, there are borderline cases:

“Greg is a dedicated father.” “Charles could stand to lose some weight.” “No normal human has a chin like Kerry’s.”

The speaker might well be judging someone’s merits with these statements.


For now, we’ll stick to cases most of us will agree on.


Which is a value judgment?A. That kid looks like his

brother.

B. That kid is better looking than his brother.


Which is a value judgment?A. Secretary Rice is tall

and thin.

B. Secretary Rice is too tall and thin.


And which of these is a value judgment?

A. Driving solo in the car-pool lane is wrong.

B. Driving solo in the car-pool lane is illegal.


Which is a value judgment?A. This class is too difficult.

B. Teach didn’t calculate my grade accurately.


One more: which of these is a value judgment?A. These exercises are useful and entertaining.

B. Most students think these exercises are useful and entertaining.


ALL these are value judgments. Divide them into two groups:1. Miller tastes great!

2. You should treat your brother better.

3. That was the best Super Bowl ever.

4. Stealing is wrong.


2 and 4 are MORAL value judgments!1. Miller tastes great!

2. You should treat your brother better.

3. That was the best Super Bowl ever.

4. Stealing is wrong.


Which is a moral value-judgment?

A. Arnold’s budget proposal is complicated.

B. Arnold’s budget proposal is irresponsible.


My budgets are the best!

The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc./Jill Braaten, Photographer


A. It’s terrible to keep that dog penned up all day long.

B. Brodie is one cute dog.



A. Cheating on your girl friend is wrong.

B. Hillary would make a fine president.



A. That plumber didn’t do a very good job.

B. Forget it! This stuff is way beyond me!

Neither!


The $64,000 question:

Are moral value-judgments subjective?

Most university freshmen think so.


How many think bull-fighting is wrong?


Are moral value-judgments subjective?


It’s a difficult question!


Think about a person who thinks dogs should be tortured.


Which thought seems more appropriate to YOU?1. It isn’t bad for him to torture dogs.

2. His understanding of good and bad is screwed up.


1. “It isn’t bad for him to torture dogs.”

This view is SUBJECTIVISM(If he thinks it isn’t bad, then it isn’t.)

2. “His understanding of good/bad is screwed up.”

This view implies that questions of good and bad are OBJECTIVE.


Review concepts1. Argument

2. Argument vs. explanation

3. Premise/Conclusion

4. Issue

5. Objective/Subjective

6. Value judgment

7. Moral/ethical value judgment

8. Interesting philosophical question: Are moral/ethical value judgments objective?


The Basics (continued) Chapter 1: Second of Two Parts.

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