Introducing Arguments - summary of chapter 1 of Critical thinking: A concise guide by Bowell & Kemp (4th edition)
Critical thinkingChapter 1 Introducing Arguments To attempt to persuade by giving good reasons is to give an argument. Not all attempts to persuade (using language) are attempts to persuade by argument. some are attempts to persuade by means of rhetorical devices Rhetoric: any verbal or written attempt to persuade someone to believe, desire or do something that does not attempt to give good reasons for the belief, desire or action, but attempts to motivate that belief, desire or action solely through the power of the words used. An attempt to persuade by argument is an attempt to provide you with reasons for believing a claim, desiring something or doing something.Arguments appeal to your critical faculties, your reason. Rhetoric tends to rely on the persuasive power of certain words and verbal techniques to influence your beliefs, desires and actions by appeal to your desires, fears and other feelings. threats and bribes are arguments (not rhetorics), for they give a reason to do something Rhetorical techniques can be manipulative and coercive. Their use should generally be avoided by those who aspire to think critically and to persuade by reason. When analysing attempts to persuade, we have to perform three tasks:Identify the issue being discussed, and determine whether or not the writer or speaker is attempting to persuade by means of argument. Is an argument being presented?Reconstructing the argument so as to express it clearly, and so as to demonstrate clearly the steps and form of the...
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