Ultimate_Writer

Week 5 Discussion

Before answering this week’s discussion prompt, complete The Graduate interactive scenario. You will notice that there are multiple arguments presented to influence your perspective on the issue confronted in the scenario. You confront arguments every day. In our digital age, however, they do not merely happen in face-to-face gatherings. Media and social media are often used to convey arguments. What aspects of what you have learned in this class apply to the analysis of such arguments? Keep these considerations in mind as you complete this week’s discussion.

In preparing for this discussion, you took part in an interactive scenario called “The Graduate.”(If blue link above doesn’t work see attached file week5 video)  In the scenario, you got to experience different people presenting different arguments (some of which you may not have liked). We have learned a lot in this course about the meaning of an argument and what constitutes a good argument. This discussion allows us to discuss more positive things that we can learn from “arguing” in the right way.

Prepare: To prepare for this discussion, watch the following video from Daniel H. Cohen [Link here (If link doesn’t work see attached file week5 video)http://www.ted.com/talks/daniel_h_cohen_for_argument_s_sake.html] and review section 9.4 of Chapter 9 called “Confronting Disagreement by Seeking Truth.” (see attached file section9.4) Take a look as well at the required resources from this week and make sure that you have completed “The Graduate” interactive scenario.

Reflect: Think about experiences you have had that involved

conflicts with others. What was the genesis of the conflict? Would it have been possible for the exchange to be more productive? Think about why disagreements often lead to fights rather than opportunities to learn from each other.

Write: Answer the following questions: What is an area of life in which you have experienced people treating arguments as a kind of war? What were the consequences of that approach?What is an area of life in which you have experienced people treating arguments as a kind of performance? Was that approach effective? Why is it better to treat arguments as a venue for learning? What traits of character does it require to be able to live according to that approach?What benefits can it have in our lives to take that approach? (please give a specific example)

Here is the reference from the text book if needed

PHI 103: With Good Reason: A Guide to Critical Thinking - James Hardy, Christopher Foster, and Gloria Zúñiga y Postigo