Scribd
Upload
32 views19 pages

Meeting 3 Looking at Language

This document outlines the agenda and objectives for Meeting 3 of a course on language and critical reasoning. It discusses several key concepts: 1. Plausibility and implausibility in arguments, identifying propositions versus non-propositions, subjective versus objective claims, and factual versus value statements. 2. Examples are provided to help distinguish between these concepts. Students are asked to analyze examples in groups to practice applying the criteria. 3. The final activity asks students to discuss in groups and precisely define the differences between a proposition, claim, and argument, providing their own examples.

Uploaded by

Josep Peter
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
Download as ppt, pdf, or txt
32 views19 pages

Meeting 3 Looking at Language

This document outlines the agenda and objectives for Meeting 3 of a course on language and critical reasoning. It discusses several key concepts: 1. Plausibility and implausibility in arguments, identifying propositions versus non-propositions, subjective versus objective claims, and factual versus value statements. 2. Examples are provided to help distinguish between these concepts. Students are asked to analyze examples in groups to practice applying the criteria. 3. The final activity asks students to discuss in groups and precisely define the differences between a proposition, claim, and argument, providing their own examples.

Uploaded by

Josep Peter
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
Download as ppt, pdf, or txt
Download as ppt, pdf, or txt
You are on page 1/ 19

Meeting 3

LOOKING AT LANGUAGE
UNIVERSITAS PELITA HARAPAN
FACULTY OF LIBERAL ARTS
@ L. Sinuor Yosephus
2010

AGENDA

Introduction
Plausibility and Implausibility
Identifying Proposition and Non Proposition
Identifying Subjective and Objective Claims
Identifying Factual and Value Statements
CRT in Practice

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONAL
OBJECTIVES

Students are able to identify and to


understand the significant properties of
propositions, claims, or statements in
language that affect how human talks,
thinks about reasoning and use them in
reasoning

INTRODUCTION
- Linguists some times claimed: Language is a
means of communication.
But, how does it plays such that role?
- Study the above claim properly and you will find
something strange in accordance with English
rule for a plural noun! Language helps us to
formulate our thoughts. It is the interpretative
medium for the input: remembering, judging,
and comprehension. It creates opportunities for
critical thinkers to share knowledge and
technology (Kirby,Goodpaster,1999). But, some
times it creates ambiguity and confusion to
human as animal symbolicum.

- In order to develop CRT, one should able to


identify the plausibility and implausibility in
arguments, proposition and non proposition,
subjective and objective claims, and factual
and value statements.

- Identifying all these things you have to study


the structure and the scheme of ordinary
language in which critical thinking and logic
play the most important role.

I.

PLAUSIBILITY & IMPLAUSIBILITY


Plausibility and Implausibility always
refers to the rules of thinking (logic and
CRT) which are addressed to validity and
cogency of a theory, an argument and
even a claim or a proposition. But, how
can we know whether a theory, an
argument or a claim is plausible or
implausible? Knowing and applying the
criteria for a valid, cogent and accurate
theory, argument or claim is the only
answer for the above question (cfr.
Ockhams razor).

- What are the criteria for a valid, cogent


and accurate theory, argument or claim?
- Study (in group) the following
arguments and statements carefully,
then:
a. Point out the plausible ones (give the
reason why these arguments or
statements are plausible).
b. Formulate the criteria for
a plausible argument
or statement.

1. Semua manusia akan mati.


Dearly adalah manusia.
Jadi, Dearly akan mati.
2. Jika hujan deras, maka terjadi banjir di mana-mana.
Nah, sekarang hujan.
Jadi, terjadi banjir di mana-mana.
3. Semua yang tidak terlihat oleh mata, tidak ada.
Kebenaran tidak terlihat oleh mata.
Jadi, kebenaran tidak ada.
4. Membantu teman dalam kesulitan adalah perbuatan
orang baik.
Soeharto adalah orang kaya yang selalu membantu
teman-temannya.
Jadi, Soeharto adalah orang baik.

II. PROPOSITION & NON PROPOSITION


- Definition.
Proposition is a sentence expressing something
true or false. In philosophy, particularly in CRT,
a proposition is identified as an idea, a concept
or an abstraction whose token instances are
pattern of symbols, marks sounds or strings of
words (Jan Gullberg, 1999: 16).
In philosophy and CRT, proposition is either
(a). The content or meaning of a meaningful
declarative sentence, or
(b). The pattern of symbols, marks, or sounds
that make up a meaningful declarative
sentence (A.G.Hamilton, 1980:10)

- Characteristics
Truth-bearer (a proposition is either true or
false) is considered as the only characteristic of
a proposition. Study the following declarative
sentences (propositions)!
1. It is raining outside.
2. Hendra was born in 1983
3. Killing people is wrong.
4. A ghost is living in her house.
But, compare the above statements with the
followings!
5. Shut the door!
6. Oh no! Dont do that!
Are these sentences (5&6) propositions? Why?

III. SUBJECTIVE & OBJECTIVE CLAIMS


- Definition:
Ordinary non-philosophical view is that the
word subjective is the complete opposite
(negation or contradictory) of the word
objective. If something is subjective, it is not
objective and if something is objective, it is not
subjective. Subjective is thought to mean from
someones point of view. And, objective means
not just from someones point of view. An
objective matter is one that everyone, who is
rational and well informed will agree about.
Thus, subjectivity connotes lack of objectivity
(just fron ones point of view).

The definitions for these two terms or words


sounds oversimplified. What do subjective and
objective claims mean?
a. Subjective Claims: private mental stuff.
Claims based on ones sensations, feelings,
emotions, opinions or beliefs.
b. Objective Claims: public or common physical
stuff. Claims based on publicly-observable
things, events, knowledge or facts.
This means that if X is subjective he can not be
objective, and if X is objective he can not be
objective. X can not be either subjective or
objective. What does it mean?

Study this example carefully!


- Consider that you have headache.
You yourself feel it and nobody else does.
In this context you can say it is subjective
(private).
- But, look at the other notions that go with
subjective: if it is subjective, it is just
opinion. Why should the doctor believe and
give you medicines when you say you have a
headache? The doctor doesnt feel your
headache, it is just your own opinion.
And, since your headache isnt objective
(subjective), it is not really real at all.
The headache is really just in your mind.

Which of the following claims are subjective or


objective ones?
1. Knowledge is power.
2. Every business man should have a watchdog.
3. Catfish is much tastier than lobster.
4. Man is rational animal.
5. Helping others is a must in my daily life.
6. Swimming is a healthy sport.
7. Dont judge a book by its cover!
8. Bali is a wonderful island.
9. Studying hard is a must only for students.
10. The business of business it business itself.

IV. FACTUAL & VALUE STATEMENTS


1. Meaning:
- FACTUAL STATEMENTS
The word fact derives from the Latin
Factum means a thing done or performed.
Some times it is used as something that has
really occurred or is the case. So, factual
statements are statements on things done or
performed. It is some times used synonymously
with truth in the sense of things found through
a process of evaluation. Facts may be checked
by reason, experiment or may be argued from
authority.

In philosophy, the concept of fact is considered


in epistemology and ontology. A fact can be
define as something which is the case, that is the
state of affairs reported by a true proposition. For
example, the statement that Earth is the green
planet in the solar system is made true by the
fact earth is the green planet in the context of
solar system. Thus, facts may be understood as
those things to which a true sentence refers.
E.g. - Indonesia is an archipelago.
- Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar
system.
- UPH is an educational institution.
- There are seven days is a week.

- VALUE STATEMENTS
- Value may be defined as a belief or opinion
about the moral standards or doctrines of an
issue. It is about right and wrong, good and
bad or what one should or shouldnt do.
- Considering the following statements!
1. You shouldnt be attracted to another
persons partner.
2. I think its stupid to do it without a proper
judgment.
3. Helping needy people is a must.

- Note:
a. A value about a feeling counts as a value.
b. A fact about a value counts as a value.
c. A fact about a feeling counts as a feeling.

Which of the followings are FACTS,


FEELINGS or VALUES an WHY?
1. On average, girls start puberty younger than
boys.
2. The more you think, the less you have time to
understand.
3. Microsoft is a company that manages
imagination.
4. I get sad thinking of all the babies lost
through abortions.
5. Prostitution is exploitative.
6. All human beings have same rights to live
equally.

CRT IN PRACTICE
Sit in groups and discuss,
then answer the following
question precisely and properly!
What are the main differences between a
proposition, a claim and an argument?
(you are requested to give your group
arguments and examples as to prove your
answer)

You might also like