The Little Blue Reasoning Book - Brandon Royal [27]
Let’s evaluate the argument.
Attack the evidence
Did Dorothy really score high on her college entrance exam? How high is high? In other words, we need to find out what score she actually got and then verify that it was indeed a “high” score.
Attack the assumption
This argument assumes that a high test score is not only enough to get accepted to college in the first place, but also that it’s a good predictor of success in college. First, the college admissions process also considers other factors, including a candidate’s written application essays, extracurricular activities, personal/academic references, and even an interview. Second, other factors that are likely required for success in college are not related to taking a test. Succeeding on a test requires no interaction with anyone except oneself. What about other factors, such as personal motivation, independence, or emotional stability? Some courses may require group projects. In short, Dorothy may not have the personal qualities to succeed in college, even though she’s mighty fine at taking an entrance exam!
2. Finland (Solution)
Argument: Finland is the most technologically advanced country in the world. More people per capita own mobile phones in Finland than anywhere else on earth.
Conclusion: Finland is the most technologically advanced country in the world.
Evidence: More people per capita own mobile phones in Finland than anywhere else on earth.
Assumption: Ownership of mobile phones is the best criterion for determining whether a country (or its people) is technologically advanced.
Let’s evaluate this argument.
Attack the evidence
Even though people own phones, do they actually use them? Do they know how to use the vast majority of all the phone functions? Also, are mobile phones as technologically sophisticated in Finland as they are in other countries?
Attack the assumption
Perhaps ownership of mobile phones (per capita) is not the best criterion for determining technological advancement. Perhaps a better, more accurate criterion is ownership of computers or the ability to use computer software. Or perhaps the best criterion for determining technological advancement is the ability to manufacture technologically advanced equipment.
3. Taking on the World with a Smile (Solution)
Argument: Dear Anita: You know, I get such a great feeling when I talk to my old high school friends and find out they’re doing well. Just yesterday, I spoke with Paul and Maxine and have been in a good mood ever since. Say, I hear you’re kind of down in the dumps lately. If you go home and call your high school friends, it will cheer you up and you will be ready to take on the world with a smile. Talk to you soon, Bill.
Conclusion: If you go home and call your high school friends, it will cheer you up and you will be ready to take on the world with a smile.
Evidence: You know, I get such a great feeling when I talk to my old high school friends and find out they’re doing well. Just yesterday, I spoke with Paul and Maxine and have been in a good mood ever since. Say, I hear you’re kind of down in the dumps lately.
Assumption: In the same way that calling his high school friends “works” for Bill, it will also “work” for Anita.
Again, there are two ways to attack this argument:
Attack the evidence
Is Anita really feeling down? Are Bill’s buddies actually doing well? Are Paul and Maxine actually the high school classmates of Bill?
Attack the assumption
Does Anita have high school friends? Are they also doing well? Upon hearing that Anita’s high school friends are doing well, will she react as favorably as Bill did (hopefully Anita’s not the jealous type)?
4. Quick-Stop vs. Big-Buy Grocery Stores (Solution)
Argument: I shop at Big-Buy grocery stores because prices are 10% less than at Quick-Stop grocery