Value Assumption - notes made during class PDF

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Value Assumption

For or Against abortion rights

For

Against

What is the structure of an argument? To understand the structure of the argument, the key questions are:

● What are the issue and the conclusion? ● What are the reasons? ● What are the assumptions?

Assumption The definition of an assumption, according to Browne and Keeley, is the following:

“An assumption is a belief, usually unstated, that is taken for granted and supports the explicit reasoning.”

To avoid being blindly led into accepting an author’s conclusion, you must identify and analyze the assumptions embedded within the argument. If you miss these hidden assumptions, you may find yourself accepting a conclusion that you would have rejected had you explicitly reflected on the assumptions. Keep in mind that communicators will want to position their argument in the most persuasive way, and sometimes may intentionally hide assumptions that are likely to spark disagreement.

To Think Critically, Think RED

R Keys to CRITICAL THINKING

ecognize Assumptions

E D

valuate Arguments

raw Conclusions

Where should you look for assumptions? ● Linkage assumptions are found in the movement from reasons to the conclusion. These linkage assumptions are needed in order for the reasons to support the conclusion. ● Look for assumptions necessary for a reason to be true.

Value assumptions Value assumptions occur when the communicator demonstrates a relative preference for one value over another. For instance, an author may value privacy over security, and thus may argue against state surveillance. Value assumptions are what cause two perfectly intelligent people to look at the same information and arrive at completely different conclusions (for or against abortion rights; for or against gun control).

As Browne and Keeley write: “What leads you to answer a prescriptive question differently from someone else is the relative intensity with which you hold specific values… A value assumption is an implicit preference for one value over another in a particular context.”

How do you identify value assumptions?

Typical value conflicts: ●

Look for typical value conflicts, such as competition-cooperation, individual rights-

welfare of the group, privacy-security, etc. An author is likely to make a value assumption if the issue involves value conflicts.

Consequences: In prescriptive issues, each position will lead to consequences. Note which consequences are provided as reasons for supporting the conclusion, and then think about what value assumptions would lead the communicator to select those reasons.

Reverse role play: ●

Ask the question — “What do those people who would take a different position from a stated argument care about?”

descriptive assumptions The second kind of assumption reflects the communicator’s world view. As Browne and Keeley write:

“A descriptive assumption is an unstated belief about how the world was, is, or will become.”

Difference be vs. is Value assumptions help you understand how the communicator thinks the world should be; descriptive assumptions help you understand how the communicator thinks the world is.

Can you make assumptions? Conclusion: This particular car, the newest model, will get you where you want to go. Reason: The past models of this car have functioned well on multiple occasions.

Assumption 1: Since the past models of this car have functioned well on multiple occasions, the new model will function just as well. Assumption 2: The way that you will be driving this particular car are the same as the ways in which past models of this car have functioned well.

If both of these descriptive assumptions are true, then the conclusion follows from the reason given. However, you could challenge these assumptions and disagree with the conclusion, unless better reasons are provided.

descriptive assumptions that commonly show up in arguments, (Browne and Kelley) Personal choices: It is one’s personal choices, rather than circumstances or luck, that determine the outcome of events.

Past is predictor of future: Since we have seen this happen before, it will happen again.

I’m typical: The speaker or writer is typical of the greater population. When someone makes this assumption, she relies heavily on her own personal experiences and tastes in her reasoning.

I’m what matters. “My world is the center of the universe.” When someone makes this assumption, it’s difficult for them to prioritize others’ needs or see others’ perspectives.

Justice: The world is just. People will do the right thing. “That something should be true means that it will be true.” [also known as the romantic fallacy]

Test Browne and Keeley recommend asking these questions with respect to assumptions: ● On what basis can you draw this conclusion from that reason? (Identify linkage assumptions) ● Is there any basis for accepting that assumption? If the answer for the second question is “no,” you can reject the assumption. If the answer is “yes,” then this assumption supports the conclusion....