I chose begging the question, “The point of an argument is to convince that a claim is true. So the premises of an argument have to be more plausible than the conclusion” (pg 202). This is a fallacy in which a premise in an argument contains a direct or indirect assumption that the conclusion is true. This often makes the argument circular because the person is assuming what they are trying to prove is true. An example that I found was, “Executions are moral because we must have a death penalty to discourage violent crime.” This assumption came up in my moral ethics class last year. The arguer was assuming that the death penalty is a deterrent of crime. This may be true, but it is just as questionable as the idea that the death penalty is moral. This argument was extremely debatable in my class and created a circular argument because of the many different opinions on what is morally right and wrong.
I think the example you have given in the blog above is a great example. In any given argument I think that people will always have different point of view. By just assume what is right or wrong, more often than not that there will be some argument against it. In your example you have stated that the argument brought up another argument of what is moral and what is right and wrong. I think that this kins of assumption or vague statement are all the type of argument that is begging for the questions to be ask. Great example!
ReplyDeleteI really like how you bring up a subjective question as your example. We see people violate the principle of rational discussion all the time. The funny thing is they do not even know that they just make a violation. An argument that beg questions is definitely a bad one. In other words, a good argument should be able to convince the readers or listeners without getting back questions. I think effective communication and argument is when we be able to make the people to be on our sides without discomforts. When a person who make the argument think that he or she is right does not make the argument more effective unless he or she prove it.
ReplyDeleteYour post is really helpful! I think that the death penalty is an incredibly controversial topic that people will fight tooth to nail about. It’s interesting that in your class you had a debate about it; and to assume that it was the death penalty as a deterrent of crime is very interesting. Sometimes it is easy to see both sides of this subject as long as the person is willing to put aside their morals and attempt to understand the opposing side, which is highly credible in my opinion. But I really like your example and it has helped me comprehend the material. Thank you for your post!
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