Example: Michael has a Bic lighter. So Michael can produce a flame.
Analysis: We can't make this valid by adding "All lighters produce fire," because that is false.
It is false because once a lighter runs out of lighter fluid, then it will not produce a flame. We could make this argument stronger by adding "Michael's lighter is new and has plenty of lighter fluid in it." This way it would rule out the possibility that the Bic lighter has ran out of lighter fluid. When you have an argument that leaves room for debate, than it is not a strong argument. However, you can't just make up anything in order to make an argument strong or valid. For example, you can't say "Michael is an outdoors man" or "Michael knows everything there is to know about fires." Because even though these two claims would add to Michael's credibility, an outsider has no reason to believe that they are true.
The only premise that we can add here is one that rules out lots of possibilities without specifying any one of them. "Michael's lighter is new and has plenty of lighter fluid in it," because that statement links the premise to the conclusion. Then it would be a good argument.
Kalem,
ReplyDeleteYour post was simple and clear to read. I can tell that you know how to repair an argument to make it stronger with your explanation. I liked how not only did you provide a premise to make your argument stronger (Michael's lighter is new and has plenty of lighter fluid in it), but you included what you shouldn't add into your argument. Though the premise made your argument stronger, it does not mean that it is valid. Michael has a new lighter with lighter fluid in it, but maybe he doesn't know how to flick a lighter. There are always rare possibilities to make an argument seem invalid, but the premise you added did make it stronger.
Hey there Kalem! You definitely have a great post here! You explained in a simple manner that made me understand the concept of repairing arguments even more. I liked how you incorporated numerous examples that would not make the argument valid or strong. Your discussion of what we shouldn't add and what we should add allowed me to compare the premises that would make the argument bad or good, either being valid or strong, making it easier to understand. Also, the amount of examples you provided that wouldn't make the argument good and the one premise that makes the argument good shows that you know what you're talking about. Well done!
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