A. State which type of literal analogy is developed in each of the following examples- simple, judicial, or a fortiori - along with the reason for your identification. Identify the evidence case, conclusion case, and conclusion for each argument. Employing the tests for literal analogies, note any weaknesses that may be present in each comparison.
- Just as bacteria in your stomach help you to digest food, bacteria in the soil help the soil to break down organic materials for plant nutrition.
Type: fortiori
Evidence case:
Conclusion Case:
Conclusion:
Any weaknesses? N/A
- High school principal to press: "I will not allow known gang members to come to school. The threat to my students is even greater than if a child came to school with measles. If a student is involved in a gang, I will simply say, "You stay away from the school. You are considered a threat."
- Business writer Rich Karlgaard notes, "One-third of Los Angeles residents now tell pollsters that they are sick of their city." Karlgaard attributes much of this unhappiness to the problems associated with illegal immigration. "What religion is to contemporary U.S. national politics -- a bitter and hardening divide -- illegal immigration is to California politics."
B. Identify the example or examples advanced as evidence in each of the following arguments. What general conclusion is derived from each example? Employing the tests of example arguments, identify any potential weaknesses in the examples.
- Retailers increasingly rely on sophisticated algorithms in setting prices. This requires that they hire economists who have skill in evaluating large data sets. Amazon currently has sixty full-time economists on its staff.
- Georgia's new hands-free phone law shows that legislation banning hand-held cell phone use while driving can be highly effective.
C. Think of a movie you have seen recently that you believe was arguing for a particular point of view. Write a brief analysis of the movie's coherence and fidelity as either contributing to or detracting from its persuasiveness. In addition, comment on the relationship between portrayal and point of view in the film.