Beyond Feelings - Vincent Ruggiero.original_ [48]
Where the evidence will support probability but not certainty, make your conclusion reflect that fact. That is, admit that it is impossible to say for sure what the right conclusion is, and explain why that is so. Then say what the right conclusion probably is.
APPLICATIONS
Sdfsdfs
Examine each of the following conclusions. Decide the specific kind and amount of information that would be necessary to obtain before the conclusion would be justified. Determine whether another possible conclusion might be more supportable than this one.
Why are there so many broken homes today? Why are crimes of violence increasing at an alarming rate? Why is pornography flooding our country? Because religion has been shut out of the schools.
Many people have spoken out in recent years for a reduction in U.S. military spending. This is madness. We need to spend every dollar we are spending to maintain our national security.
What makes people willing to speak out against lawful authority? What makes them attack the representatives of that authority – police officers, judges, member of Congress, presidents? Only one thing: lack of respect for authority.
Have you ever wondered why European and American cultures have been so opposed to premarital sex? The answer is simple: prudishness.
While reading her evening newspaper, Jean notices that her congressman has voted against a highway proposal that would bring revenue to the area. She recalls that a recent poll of the voters in the district revealed that 63 percent favor the proposal. Concluding that the congressman has violated the people's trust, Jean composes an angry letter reminding the congressman of his obligation to support the will of the majority. Is Jean guilty of drawing a hasty conclusion? Explain your answer.
Ramona and Stuart are arguing over whether their ten-year-old son should have certain duties around the home, such as taking out the garbage and mowing the lawn. Ramona thinks he should. Stuart's response is as follows: "When I was a kid, a close friend of mine was so busy with household chores that he could never play with the rest of the guys. He always had a hurt look on his face then, and as he got older, he became increasingly bitter about it. I vowed a long time ago that I would never burden my son with duties and responsibilities. He'll have more than enough of them when he grows up." Evaluate Stuart's conclusion in light of the chapter.
Apply your critical thinking to the following cases. Be especially careful to avoid hasty conclusions.
An Oklahoma man was sentenced to ninety-nine years in prison for indecent exposure. The prosecutor was able to ask for and get such a long sentence because the man had eleven prior convictions for burglary. The district attorney explained, "People are just tired of crime – they want the repeat offenders off the streets."2 Do you support the sentence in this case?
A Connecticut teenager who stabbed a neighbor to death argued that he had not been responsible for his actions because at the time he had been possessed by demons. Despite that defense he was found guilty.3 Do you agree with the verdict in this case?
A New York woman was having an argument with her neighbor over their children. In anger she used an anti-Semitic obscenity. Because it is a misdemeanor in New York to harass others will racial or ethnic slurs, the woman was sentenced to thirty-five hours of community service.4 Do you think such a law makes sense?
A high school anatomy class in Agoura, California, dissects human cadavers as well as cats and frogs. The teacher obtains the bodies from a university medical school.5 Do you approve of this practice?
Some people believe