Claims-of-Value - Lecture notes 1 PDF

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Claims of Value Claims about value generally lead to essays that evaluate. Anytime a writer places value on someone or something as “the best” or “superior”, that writer is making a claim about value. Claims of value attempt to prove that some things are more or less desirable than others. They are easier to understand because of the many definitions: 1. Claims of value examine your topic in terms of the phrases, “it is better to…, it is unethical that…, it is wrong to…, it is more beautiful than…” 2. Claims of value also involved “taste” in art, literature, music, film, food, etc. 3. Claims of value involve judgments, appraisals and evaluations. 4. Claims of value have bias of sorts and often embedded in social, religious, and/or cultural values. Claims of value ask the following questions: 1. What are the competing values around the topic? 2. Is it good or bad in whose eyes? 3. Has the value been properly applied to the claim of fact? These are guidelines in writing and defending claims of value Claims of value make a judgment. Claims of value express disapproval and/or approval. Claims of value attempt to prove that action, belief or condition is right or wrong, good or bad, etc. Some claims of value are simply expressions of taste, preferences and principles. Many claims of value, however, can be defended or attacked on the basis of standards. You have to arrive at reasonable standards that readers will accept. Make clear that the value or principles you are defending should have priority on a scale of values over competing values or principles others defend. Suggest that adherence to the values you are defending will bring about good results.

Some values are abstract. You should use real-world examples and illustrations to clarify meanings and value distinctions. It is highly persuasive to use the testimony of others to prove that knowledgeable or highly regarded people share your values. Claims of value require: 1. Establishing standards of evaluation (ie. A warrant that defines what constitutes instances of the relevant value). 2. Nothing priority of the value in this instance. 3. Establishing advantage (practical or moral) of your standards. 4. Using examples to clarify abstract value. 5. Using credible authorities or support. While writers should always anticipate how to respond to the opposing viewpoint, it is particularly crucial to do so when dealing with a claim about value. For example, people who are blind have a unique culture of blindness, and many believe that living a visionless life is better than living a seeing life. To properly address this topic and claim, one must anticipate and respond to the opposing viewpoint that seeing life has a significant benefit. Another example is that of ultimate fighting championship (UFC). One could argue that UFC is a dehumanizing sport. The anticipated opposing viewpoint could be that UFC fighters undergo extensive training and skill-based martial arts, thus making it viable athletic completion. Examples of claims of value which are possible research paper topics: 1. The death penalty as applied in the Philippines is immoral. 2. The use of civil disobedience during the civil rights struggle was reasonable, moral, and necessary. 3. Fetal tissue research is wrong. 4. Reality show is not as entertaining as TV drama series....