Problem:
In response to your peers, identify where their thinking concurs or differs from your own. Be courteous and respectful in your responses, focusing on the textbook reading terms and concepts to support your claims.
Hi everyone! My name is Shaquaya, I'm from Brooklyn, NY. I am currently majoring in psychology and concentrating in mental health. As I tackle going back to school to finish my degree, I currently work in law enforcement. With this course I am more than excited because I feel understanding arguments and critical thinking directly relates to my field. In my line of duty, I often have to analyze information, evaluate sources, and make well-reasoned conclusions, so learning how to identify premises and conclusions will help me think more clearly and communicate more effectively. Need Assignment Help?
Argument 1 - B.F. Skinner (1971): Skinner argues that a person is never completely self-reliant. Even when someone appears capable, they are always dependent on those who taught them the skills and knowledge they use. These teachers shape what the person relies on and to what degree. The conclusion of the argument is: "A person never becomes truly self-reliant." The supporting premises are: "Even though he deals effectively with things, he is necessarily dependent upon those who have taught him to do so" and "They have selected the things he is dependent upon and determined the kinds and degrees of dependencies." Indicator words like "even though" and "necessarily" help signal the reasoning behind the conclusion.
Argument 2 - Shakespeare's Hamlet (1954): Hamlet advises that people should neither borrow nor lend money. Lending can lead to losing both money and friendships, while borrowing can make someone careless with their own responsibilities. The conclusion is: "Neither a borrower nor a lender be." The premises supporting this are: "For loan oft loses both itself and friend" and "And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry." The word "for" acts as a premise indicator, showing that these statements provide reasons to follow the advice. Overall, I feel that both passages illustrate how conclusions are supported by premises, whether in philosophical reasoning like Skinner's or practical advice like Hamlet's. Understanding these structures helps us critically evaluate arguments in any context.