Argumentative Statements

LORA- CHAPTER 8

• In a supposition statement, the conclusion and reason isn’t justified hence its occurrence is not arguable, generally.

• These indicators (imagine that, suppose that, let us assume etc.), when used don’t always mean a supposition is present.

Example: “let us assume the average sales turnover 60,000, then the profit sharing ratio goes up by 10%.” This statement isn’t false, with conclusion and reasoning. However, if an atheist says “imagine that god is real, then how can one explain poverty.” This statement cannot be justified because there are those who believe that there exists a greater power who gives people what they deserve and there are those who believe in science and evolution.

• A supposition statement can have an asserted proposition (a statement for which the speaker has valid reasons for it to be true), unasserted proposition (statement based on belief or assumption) or a combination of both. Conclusions to any of these propositions needn’t always be correct or accurate. (Beliefs are not proven facts and, assumptions, well is a person's own thoughts)

• When a reason is unasserted or based on assumptions, then the assertibility of the proposition(s) that follow depends on how true the reason is. (also known as conditionalism)

• In Galileo’s example of falling objects, he proves Aristotle’s statement wrong by conditionalization.-

SUPPOSE …Aristotle’s proposition is true, THEN his reasoning is true too... FOLLOWING (Galileo’s unasserted statement)… BUT (Galileo’s asserted statement)... HENCE… (conclusion)

• Reductio ad absurdum is when there is an initial proposition, followed by a contradicting statement to prove the first proposition wrong.

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