Critical Thinking / Errors in reasoning

Errors in Reasoning

In this assignment, you will select one of the claims listed below. Using what you know about the topic, describe at least four claims that might commonly be made that display some of the errors in reasoning covered in this module’s readings. You may have to do a bit of research to find popular positions on these topics.

For example, if the claim is: Children should not be allowed to play violent video games.

Then four common claims about the subject might be:

1. Children have always played violent games and they turned out okay.

2. Dr. Dre says that violent video games are okay.

3. Everybody knows that violent video games don’t cause problems.

4. Many countries banned violent video games and they have higher crime rates than we do.

And the errors they represent might be:

1. Children have always played violent games and they turned out okay (appeal to tradition and false analogy).

2. Dr. Dre says that violent video games are okay (argument by mistaken authority).

3. Everybody knows that violent video games don’t cause problems (appeal to common belief).

4. Many countries banned violent video games and they have higher crime rates than we do (post hoc ergo propter hoc).

Because

1. Any sentence that talks about how we have always done something as a way to justify doing it is an appeal to tradition.

2. The claim looks like it comes from an authority, but Dr. Dre is a musician, not a doctor.

3. Any claim that says that everyone knows something as a way to justify doing it is an appeal to common belief.

4. Showing that two things happened (that video games are accepted and crime is up) does not prove that the two things are related or that the first caused the second; this is called post hoc ergo propter hoc, which means after this, so because of this.

Select one of these topics. Using what you know about the topic and additional research you conduct, describe at least four claims that might commonly be made that display some of the errors in reasoning covered in this module’s readings.

1. Should people under 18 be subjected to legal curfews or restricted driving privileges?

2. Should libraries be required to install filtering software or otherwise censor the materials that they provide?

3. Should insurance companies be required to pay for breast reconstruction, birth control pills, or Viagra?

4. Should the use of camera phones be banned in gymnasiums or other locations?

Write your 600-word response in the Microsoft Word document format.

Assignment 2 Grading Criteria
Maximum Points
Provided at least four commonly made claims about your selected topic (four common claims).
40
Named the errors found in each common claim (the errors represented).
30
Explained what factors show that the error is present (definitions).
20
Applied current APA standards for editorial style, expression of ideas, and format of text, citations, and references. Professionally presented the response by using good grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
10
Total:
100

 

 
"Looking for a Similar Assignment? Get Expert Help at an Amazing Discount!"
Looking for a Similar Assignment? Our Experts can help. Use the coupon code SAVE30 to get your first order at 30% off!

Hi there! Click one of our representatives below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Chat with us on WhatsApp